Bladnoch 14 Yr Previous sits someplace in the midst of the vary from this distillery. Above three NAS expressions we discover a youthful 11 Years from bourbon casks and an older 19 Years matured in Pedro Ximénez. The 14 Years ages completely in Oloroso sherry seasoned casks, hand-selected by Bladnoch‘s grasp blender Dr Nick Savage.
We attempt the most recent 2022 version, which has simply arrived in (sure) shops.
Bladnoch 14 yo (46,7%, OB 2022)
Nostril: a very nice sherry profile. First we discover basic raisins, dried pear and milk chocolate. What I like principally is the marginally bitter fruitiness of juicy plum compote and purple berries. Hints of floral honey, cinnamon and faint natural notes. Whiffs of recent leather-based too. Brilliant and engaging, regardless that it turns into flatter over time.
Mouth: barely extra oak-forward now, exhibiting some (European oak?) spices (ginger and black pepper) with a faint trace of oak char. Then sweeter flavours seem, like toffee, raisins and caramelized walnuts. Additionally darkish cherries and a few espresso. Darkish chocolate completes this whisky.
End: barely extra oak-forward now, exhibiting some (European oak?) spices (ginger and black pepper)
In brief, a pleasant whisky that exceeds the expectations for a contemporary sherry influenced dram. It reveals a brilliant fruitiness with oak spice and the scent of an precise sherry bodega. I discover the worth just a little heavy but it surely’s definitely the nicest Bladnoch I’ve had in a very long time. I’ve solely seen the 2022 version at The Whisky Alternate and Grasp of Malt thus far, however different retailers nonetheless supply the earlier years.
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