Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 The Nectar Anniversary Edition

Bladnoch, near Wigtown in the Lowlands, has a bit of a rough recent history. The Irishman Raymond Armstrong reopened it in 2000 but had to close it in 2014 – on the court’s order – after a dispute with his brother. The Australian business man David Prior – famous for his five:am yoghurt, a company he sold for 52 million! – bought it in 2015 and has recently launched his first new expressions: the Bladnoch Samsara (NAS), Adela (15 years old) and Talia (25 years old). The price tags left me breathless. I will try a 26 year old, bottled by The Nectar in honor of their 10th anniversary. And while this is almost 200 EUR for a bottle, this is still a lot cheaper compared to the new official releases.

Very aromatic nose on grapefruit, pineapple cubes, gooseberries and quinine. Some vanilla and candle wax. Young apples. Sugar cane. Very waxy. Textbook Bladnoch, which is always good news.

On the palate too, it is very waxy, almost fatty. Immediately piquant with a bitterness reminiscent of quinine, but not over the top. The fruit is mostly citrus and apples, but it turns quickly into a candy-like sweetness that I quite like. Towards the end, I even get a hint of salt. Surprising, but it does work beautifully.

The finish is long, very long. And quite zesty and spicy with a bittersweet death.

Grand Bladnoch, that absolutely needs no water at all. The boys and girls from The Nectar sure know what they are doing. You can still find it for around 180 EUR.

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