Bladnoch 2001 10 Year Old Cask #284

One day, on November 18th 2001, someone filled sherry butt #284 with lightly peated new make at the Bladnoch distillery. On July 13th 2012 they dumped the butt into bottles, and this is the fine result (thanks to @Nozinan for the sample).

The colour is a very pale straw. Sweet and musty on the nose, with chili dark chocolate, burnt rubber, overripe banana, kumquats and a funky peat quite different from what you'd get on Islay or in the Highlands, I think (unless they bought peated malt from somewhere, which means I'm totally talking out of my ass. Again.) Meaty and thick with rum-raisin and clotted cream. Water seems to increase the alcohol (?) while adding a basket of herbs. Lots of character here.

Sweeter on the palate with grape, honey, marzipan and citrus pith. Tropical fruit. Light oak. Not much funky peat here. With water, more spice and some mouth-pulling tannins. A nice balance of sweetness and richness, very dynamic.

The finish is toasty with a hint of spice and oak. The complexity here really elevates what I was expecting to be a nice light dram (although I am sure I've had this before). You would never think this was 55%. I scored this slightly lower than @Nozinan, but in tribute I stole the picture from his review.

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