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Bladnoch
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Bladnoch, 8-year-old (Scotland) 
This release comprises spirit distilled entirely under the current distillery ownership regime, in this case that of Northern Irish businessman Raymond Armstrong.
Bladnoch fell silent in 1993, and Armstrong purchased it from United Distillers the following year, with distillation recommencing seven years later. Production is small in scale and includes batches of peated spirit from time to time. The first releases of spirit distilled since the re-opening were a trio of cask strength six-year-olds, bottled last year, one of which was matured in ex-Bourbon casks, a second in ex-Sherry wood, while the third was lightly peated.
The new eight-year-old is bright, fresh and citric, with lemon, cereal, soft toffee and nuts on the nose. Medium in body, the palate is gingery and very lively, with vanilla, hot spices and hazelnuts. The finish offers persistently fruity spice.
46.0% ABV, 70cl, £36.00, specialist whisky merchants.  |  |
Bladnoch, Flora & Fauna (Scotland)
Distilling recommenced on the 18th December 2000 at Bladnoch, after a 17-year gap when the distillery was silent. Although labelled as a 10-year-old, this is almost certainly 12, as the distillery ceased production in 1993. Delicate, well balanced and lemony it has a hint of sherry on the nose and palate. 43.0% ABV, 70cl, £33, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Bladnoch, John McDougall’s Selection 1990 (Scotland)
John McDougall has spent 46 years in the Scotch whisky industry and worked at 19 Scotch whisky distilleries, managing the likes of Balvenie, Laphroaig and Springbank. He subsequently embarked on a consultancy career and a role as a small-scale, independent bottler, working in conjunction with Jane Macduff of Cumbrae Supply Company Ltd.
McDougall’s latest release from Bladnoch Lowland distillery in south-west Scotland is the only authorised independent bottling of the single malt, and is presented at cask strength and without colouring or chill-filtration. Very attractive and richly-fruited on the nose, with apricots and peaches, marshmallows and underlying malt and allspice. The addition of water accentuates the whisky’s gentle, floral, perfumed notes. The palate offers malt and ginger with restrained vanilla, while water teases out more gingery spice. Nice weight for a Lowland. Medium length in the finish, dry and slightly ashy, with lingering notes of spice.
54.2% ABV, 70cl, £43.95, Wright Whisky Co, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Bladnoch, Single Lowland Malt Distillery Bottling (Scotland)
This 15-year-old is chill-filtered. it is softer and more heathery on the nose than the previous 10 year-old, richer in body, with sweet passion fruit notes. Beautifully balanced, elegant yet no lightweight. An imposing dram for a Lowland! 55.0% ABV, 70cl, 38, distillery website, specialist whisky merchants. | |
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