Malts of Scotland bottled quite a few things from less common distilleries this time: Glen Moray, Banff, Lochside, a Tomintoul matured in a rum cask, and this Bladnoch 1990.
Bladnoch 21 yo 1990
(54,4%, Malts of Scotland 2012,
bourbon barrel, MoS 12019, 115 btl.)
Bladnoch 21 yo 1990Nose: nicely candied. The usual grassiness is present, alongside a few gristy notes, but it’s sweetened by dried pineapple and Honey Pops. Lemon wine gums. Lime juice and Demerara sugar. A slightly tropical version of the Lowlands, although it returns to slightly sharper grainy and lemony notes over time.
Mouth: punchy, nicely balanced between citrus notes (grapefruit, lemon zest) and a rounder, candied touch. Quite a peppery kick. More grassy this time, slightly more bitter as well. More grapefruit. Hints of tonic.
Finish: rather long, grassy and lemony. Grapefruit tea.
I’m not a fan of the typical grassiness and zesty bitterness of Bladnoch but I have to say this one adds a few rounder notes which makes it much more attractive. Probably the best Bladnoch I’ve tried, certainly on the nose. Around € 100.
Score: 87/100