Bladnoch 8 Year Old

Let me start by saying that this bottle is utterly unfindable and that I am tasting from a miniature that has been gathering dust in my cabinet for years. It is an official Bladnoch 8 Year Old, bottled in 1988, so it was distilled in either 1979 or 1980. The distillery, by the way, was recently purchased by an Australian businessman, giving Bladnoch its third lease on life.

The nose is very fresh and fruity with hints of lemongrass, grain cookies, apples, strawberries and hazelnuts. Then some banana and overripe melon. Quite pleasant in fact. The heart is sweet malt, though. I would have guessed this to be older, had I taste dit blind, for it smells quite mature.

The arrival is, unfortunately, quite watery. I could have done with a little more body. Moreover, the taste is a lot less outspoken than the nose. While it remains sufficiently fruity, it has lost its almost tropical character and even turns a little bitter from the tannins. Surprisingly spicy on pepper and ginger. Hints of nuts in the background, maybe even some chocolate.

The finish is fairly short and offers nothing new.

The nose was a pleasant surprise, but then it goes downhill fast. Nothing wrong with it, but far from great. And what a coincidence: it is the 8th Bladnoch that I have tried and it is 8 years old – making it the youngest Bladnoch I have tried thus far. I guess that is the most interesting thing I can say about this bottling.

Find where to buy Bladnoch whisky