Blair Athol 14 Year Old 2006

The Single Malts of Scotland is a label from Elixir Distillers. Should that name be unfamiliar, then Sukhinder Singh will probably ring a bell. No? Think The Whisky Exchange. Ah, now you know who I mean, I can tell. This Blair Athol matured for 14 years on a hogshead, yet is very pale.

The nose starts relatively closed. It takes a few moments before I detect some apples, pears, white berries, vanilla and caramel, as well as a lot of scorched wood. In all honesty, it’s quite a simple nose. Nothing wrong with that, of course.

The taste is soft on more white fruit (add some gooseberries for good measure) with a bit of white pepper which gives it some punch. Vanilla, caramel, barley sugar… again surprisingly simple. I’m a bit surprised Sukhinder selected this cask. Very straightforward. Close to the grain, as they say.

The finish is medium long, sweet and spicy with a mildly drying effect.

Ha! My 30th encounter with Blair Athol – but it could have been better. A bottle will set you back some 75 EUR at Buds & Barrels. Thx for the sample, Tom.

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