BNJ or Bailie Nicol Jarvie is said to have the highest malt content of any blended whisky (over 60%). It’s produced at Glenmorangie so Glenmorangie and Glen Moray are obviously the key components, together with 6 other malt whiskies and Girvan grain whisky. The name is taken from Walter Scott’s novel “Rob Roy”.
Bailie Nicol Jarvie was very popular at the beginning of the 20th Century. After that, it went downhill but nowadays it seems to gain popularity again.
Bailie Nicol Jarvie (40%, OB 2011)
Bailie Nicol Jarvie (40%, OB 2011)Nose: fresh, sweet and balanced. Apples and pears, vanilla and lemon. Some Highlands heather as well. Soft hints of butter. Warm grassy notes (dried hay) with soft floral notes.
Mouth: crisp barley sweetness, powder sugar and some citrus. Lemon icing on cake. Vanilla. Grains. Soft spices and nutty flavours (hazelnuts and almonds). Delicate hints of peat in the background.
Finish: warm, quite nutty with lingering spices and a hint of smoke.
Bailie Nicol Jarvie is not a commonly found blend, but it’s worth looking out for if you want bang for your buck. Even though it’s fairly simple and a little on the sweet side, it can be found for less than € 20. Probably the best you can find for that amount of money.
Score: 80/100