Pure Scot Virgin Oak 43

Score: 14/23 The standard Pure Scot was terrible, a real chore to finish, with a significant amount ending up wasted. I bought this bottle at the same time, so my only hope is that it's somewhat better. Nose: A lot of toasted grain meets wood here. There's a hint of malt sweetness and a rich, non-floral vanilla aroma. For those who can't tell vanilla from floral notes, this is a good aroma to practice with. Something slightly tart is also present. It's not overly complex, but the notes are substantial and intriguing enough. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic from the smell. Palate: The virgin oak is very apparent, similar to Kavalan's focus on first-fill barrels. I detect some of the mild lowland character from the original Pure Scot, alongside abundant, sweet vanilla. This must be American oak. The taste leans towards maple at times, evoking a smoother, gentler, less tart, and less bitter version of Balcones Single Malt. While Balcones is more engaging, the exceptional smoothness here is hard to fault. It's much smoother than the standard Pure Scot, even with a slightly higher proof. It also strongly resembles Glenfiddich 14 Bourbon Barrel. Typically, bourbon barrel aging has a modest effect compared to sherry, but the American oak is prominent in both these spirits. The sweet, woody vanilla is more pronounced here, with less spice and tartness. The Glenfiddich has more depth and seems older, but the luxurious smoothness is undeniable. Looking closer, I find a subtle dusty earthiness from the barrel that complements the slight toastiness from the grain. Nice spiciness also masks a bit of harshness. The raw alcohol flavor is barely perceptible. A faint, almost waxy tartness rounds out the profile, preventing it from being overly sweet. This leads to a touch of brine, nicely connected to the muted smoke through a subtle herbal note. Finish: A mellow finish that maintains the sweetness and wood character. Complexity fades, but it remains quite pleasant. - Verdict - This is a significant upgrade from the standard Pure Scot. It's not outstanding, but the original lacks barrel influence and youth. This expression, though possibly still young, benefits from fresh oak, introducing welcome vanilla sweetness and richness. New oak aging is uncommon for Scotch, making this experience uniquely enjoyable. An easy-drinking spirit. I'm considering a score between 12 and 16. It's likely not as good as the Glenfiddich 14 Bourbon Barrel (which I rated 16), but it surpasses many things I've rated below 14. I'm leaning towards 14 or 15. From my experience in blending, I know it's challenging to emphasize oak sweetness like Bladnoch has achieved here without introducing significant bitterness. It genuinely tastes like a rapid succession through multiple new oak barrels, making me think "luxury" with every sip. The base spirit isn't remarkable, and the product is one-dimensional, but it's distinct and delicious. Given its youth and limited complexity, I'll start with a 14, but I may revise that score upwards after trying it again. For $25, it's a bargain!

Another blind tasting... Light gold color, with thin, quick legs. Smell: Butterscotch funk. Then the peat emerges with pleasing phenols, but only a faint barbecue smoke. There are delightful fruit and vanilla notes - pear, mango, plantain, rich vanilla extract. A touch of earthy wood spice. This aroma is a wonderful, harmonious symphony. Palate: Heavy mouthfeel with fried plantains and a bit of smoke from oil burning in a pan. Wow, this lingers and lingers, coating every part of the mouth. Fleeting tastes of butterscotch, walnut, and oak appear and disappear. The phenols become more apparent with later sips but are never overwhelmed by rich, heavy sweetness. There's no burnt taste. No ash. No embers. Everything is well-balanced. Finish: The finish is sticky and sweet, just slightly dark, and lasts for several minutes. There's no warmth in the chest or nose. Every aspect of this pour is enjoyable. Overall: This dram is flawless. It's elegant, refined, and doesn't depend on a special barrel finish or a cloud of smoke. While the fruit detected on the nose didn't translate into distinct flavors on the palate, I don't really miss those specific notes as I appreciate the overall impression. Empty glass reveals scents of wet tobacco, caramel, and sea salt. Reveal: Pure Scott Virgin Oak Another generous sample from a friend. And this is one I'd never heard of. As a blend, it has some inherent advantages, which likely explains its balance. I should have been suspicious, as the balance is almost a little too perfect. It reminds me of JW green label, but with some butterscotch hard candies dissolved in it. The sweet, coating finish is really enjoyable (for a bourbon drinker). The virgin American oak truly highlights the vanilla and caramel sugar qualities I love. I'm not ashamed to say this is now among my favorite blends. I checked reviews of their standard product and it doesn't seem to get much acclaim. I will say that if you like bourbon, this virgin oak expression is worth considering! Considering the price, I'd rate it a quarter point higher. Considering it's a blend, is that an unfair advantage, or does blending itself deserve some recognition? I almost feel sheepish giving it such a high rating, but on a personal, superficial level, I genuinely enjoy it.

"Pure Scot" is the brand of blended whiskies from Bladnoch's owners. Their heavy, attractive bottles aim to compete with established Blended Scotch Market players. "Virgin Oak 43" is one of their initial offerings; I'm aware of two others: "Signature Blend," which I've already reviewed, and "Midnight Peat," which sounds intriguing. Let's get down to business. Bottled at 43% ABV, which gives it its name, this bottle has a burnished gold hue. Upon uncorking, a bourbon-like aroma emerges. On the nose, expect many American whiskey characteristics: red chili peppers, prunes, and a Bloody Mary cocktail. Thick vanilla, BBQ sauce, and hints of coconut are also present. It feels somewhat young. After letting it breathe, it transforms into something resembling cherry Coca-Cola, not Dr. Pepper. Very grape-like. It improved significantly. Thick, very thick caramel notes appear. On the palate, it's pleasant. Vanilla, new wood, wood polish, prunes, and chili are detected. A second sip reveals toffee hard candy, and the spiciness mellows. It's sour and bitter. A third sip is excessively sweet; all the sourness and bitterness surface if you hold it for ten seconds. Toffee notes are present. The aftertaste is somewhat surprising and rewarding. Sawdust, hints of vanilla, oakiness, and traces of tobacco. On the second sip, it offered something I can only describe as "smoked almonds" (if such a thing exists), along with hints of milk chocolate. Overall, the virgin oak has imparted a very bourbon-like profile. In a blind tasting, I would have identified this dram as an American whiskey. It's a solid, enjoyable dram, but likely suited for drinkers of Johnnie Walker or Chivas. It's not bad at all; I'll likely finish the bottle when I desire a standard dram, perhaps at the beach. My rating is 83 out of 100.

Very enjoyable and certainly sippable neat, especially given its very affordable price. The taste offers a nice equilibrium of various elements: a hint of smoke, oak, brine, sweetness, and fruit... nothing overpowering, just a pleasant amount of everything.

Light bronze color, fruity, with notes of walnut and caramelized sugar. Red apple and ginger, with a slightly smoky finish.

Cheap, buttery blended scotch whisky with a hint of BBQ smoke, not nearly enough to make it appealing.