Bladnoch Vinaya

Review #013 Type: single malt scotch Alcohol Content: 46.7% Details: No Age Statement, aged in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Chestnut hue. Swirling reveals a thin trail clinging to the glass, slow-forming legs. Nose: 16/20 Apples, honey, buttered bread, and vanilla. Palate: 33/40 Black pepper is prominent on the initial sip, slightly less so on the second. By the third sip, it becomes creamier, revealing a very pleasant mouthfeel, with flavors of vanilla, figs, clove spice, and dark chocolate. Finish: 32/40 A satisfyingly long finish, beginning with a slight ethanol sting, then transitioning to a sweeter, crisper profile with peaches and pears, gradually fading to a hint of salt at the end. With Water: A drop of water introduces a subtle chili pepper spiciness to the finish. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: Acquired to broaden my appreciation of Bladnoch expressions; not particularly outstanding but represents excellent value and a good purchase nonetheless. Price: $50 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

A truly surprising, complex whisky from this lowland distillery. This whisky provided an unexpected experience; I even tasted it alongside the new Dalmore 12 Sherry Cask Select, and this one was actually superior. Bottled at 46.7% ABV, burnished gold color. On the nose, this exhibits many very clean aromatic notes. Chocolate, butter, vanilla, banana, coconut, and a piña colada cocktail. Banana split ice cream, toffee, a lovely aroma. Rum and raisin ice cream. Following an initial sip, the aroma shifted to coffee with milk, pancakes, banana smoothie, soap, and oat. It is very lactic / milky. On the palate, it begins with a pleasant pepper bomb, chili, red fruits, and clove. There are prunes and spices throughout. Aftertaste is very long and well-executed. Red chili, sulfurous notes. It is creamy and oily. Salty pickles. Very enjoyable but spicy. Overall, I find this dram incredibly complex, and even though it has the typical chocolate profile expected from a lowland whisky, this single malt manages to explore many good spices and some fruitiness. A wonderful experience, my score for it is 89/100.

N: Cereal maltiness arrives with notes of young green apple and straw. P: Stewed pear offers a subdued start, accompanied by equal parts creamy and bitter chocolate. Hints of oaky spices and perfumes appear, but the overall impression is brief and somewhat uninspired. F: Medium. Hints of pepper, cinnamon, and cocoa powder bitterness dominate, with heat being the primary characteristic. The nose and palate share a strong resemblance to many other lowland malts. While not a flaw, this similarity renders the offering unremarkable. It seems designed as an introductory whisky to showcase the lowland style. It's well-crafted, clean, crisp, and pleasant, but utterly forgettable, lacking any distinctive character or intriguing flavors. Honestly, I anticipated more. It's simply adequate.

Nose: Shortbread cookies with honey, ripe orchard fruits like apples and pears, some heather, and subtle barrel spices. Palate: Starts sweet, rich, creamy, with abundant vanilla, similar to crème brûlée. The orchard fruits reappear on the mid to back palate. Holding the sip allows the warm barrel spices to intensify, adding another dimension. Finish: Medium length with notes of shortbread cookie and warm barrel spices. Summary: Scottish distilleries continue to demonstrate that age statements aren't always the most critical factor. Though likely on the younger side, its lack of age is unnoticeable due to the excellent execution of this pour. Highly recommended.

A nose of dark dried fruit sits atop high notes of sherry. Flavors include baking spices, toasted oak cask, vanilla, and water cracker. The sherry leans it towards the sweeter side, but it's not overpowering, as is common with most Lowland Scotches.

Smooth, vanilla-tinged wood with some floral and fruity depth. A lengthy, tapering, gently spiced finish. Well-balanced. A great deal for $50, highly recommended. Makes one curious about Bladnoch's other offerings.