Blair Athol 25 Year Old 1986 Adelphi

Blair Athol is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, founded in Pitlochry in 1798 by John Stewart and Robert Robertson, then under the name Aldour Distillery. In 1825 she was rechristened to Blair Athol. A large part of the production still goes into the Bell’s blends, but from time to time an independent bottler can get his hands on an exceptional cask. Like this one from 1986, bottled in 2011 at the age of 25 years, by Adelphi. Oh, my, what a lovely nose! Immediately soft on Brussels waffles, buttercups and lavender (quite floral, in fact), some woodsmoke and walnuts, freshly washed bedsheets (what? Yup!), soft flowery honey, Granny cookies with raisins and Pink Lady apples. Pancakes with slices of banana and graeffe sugar. I’m a fan! Nicely oily and good strength. Sweet start, but immediately very floral, almost perfume-y. Parma violets (the candy) followed by mind and maple syrup before a surprising note of woodsmoke rears its head. I dare say there is a veritable smoke development here. And quite lovely, although quite dry as well.

The finish is very long, sweet, dry and spicy.

Lovely sweet, bourbon matured Aldour.

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