Honestly I haven’t found a Bladnoch so far that had me jumping for joy. Maybe this Bladnoch 1990 bottled by Duncan Taylor in November 2011 can change my mind.
Bladnoch 21 yo 1990 (55,2%, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld, cask #3450, 134 btl.)
Nose: intense and slightly alcoholic. Nice lemon pie and tropical fruits (lime, mango, pineapple) with hints of bubble gum and nail polish remover. A little vanilla and grassy notes. Interesting but it stays quite neutral and grainy.
Mouth: punchy. Grainy centre, rounded off by a similar mix of (sourish) lemon and sweeter vanilla (cake). Some pepper and citrus zest. Liquorice. Hay. Green tea.
Finish: long, with the slightly bitter citrus zest getting quite loud now.
Too bad. I didn’t really enjoy this Bladnoch either, it’s too rough and biting and it doesn’t show much diversity. The nose was quite captivating though. Around € 70. Thanks Herbert.
Score: 82/100