Bladnoch Distillery was founded in 1817. If you’re good at math, then it should be obvious that Bladnoch was due this year for a bicentennial celebration. That’s roughly the equivalent of ten generations of whisky makers and whisky drinkers.
Originally built by two brothers, the distillery continues to keep watch over River Bladnoch. These days, it is the southernmost whisky production facility in Scotland. At 200 years old, it’s also one of the oldest in the Lowland region.
After a recent retrofit, Bladnoch released two new blended Scotch whiskies: Pure Scot, and Pure Scot Virgin Oak 43. In addition, the distillery produces three single malt Scotch whiskies: Samsara, Adela, and Talia.
Pure Scot Blended Scotch Whisky is the subject of this review. It combines Bladnoch Single Malt with aged Speyside, Highland, and Islay malts, in addition to aged grain whiskies.
Tasting Notes:
Vital Stats: Bladnoch’s Pure Scot Blended Scotch Whisky; 750ml; 40%ABV / 80 proof; NAS; the average price online is currently hovering around $70 per bottle.
Appearance: Burnished copper with sloshy legs indicative of relatively young age, and a low ABV.
Nose: Vanilla; hazelnut; golden raisin; butterscotch; granola with brown sugar; allspice; a faint wisp of smoke; and finally, bitter almond skin.
Palate: Right off the bat, there’s an ample malt presence that translates into a note of Jewish marble rye, along with a very slight peat presence. Raisin, date, and ginger snaps are noticeable, in addition to a dash of gunpowder. If you’ve read some of my past reviews, then you might recall that Whisky Kirk is not a big fan of gunpowder. Thank goodness it’s a fairly subtle note in my glass today.
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After a few sips, the malt presence is still up front and personal. What to say, what to say? This ubiquitous flavor now reminds me a little of barley wine. Moving along to the finish of this whisky . . . Pure Scot’s is fairly clipped. Medium-short, to be exact. If I’d had a bottle of soda water in my refrigerator, then I would have gladly poured some into my glass. As things stand without the soda water, Pure Scot seems more pleasing on ice than neat. It’s a fair weather friend, in a good way. Too bad summer is gone.
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