Blair Athol is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. While they’re in the Highlands, they’re not really the most powerful of all Highlands malts. It may not be a grand cru distillery, but I’ve had a couple of nice ones from refill sherry casks.
In our glass today is an 11 year old release in the Simply Whisky series, nicknamed Memories.
Blair Athol 11 yo 2010 ‘Memories’ (51,6%, Simply Whisky 2021, refill hogshead #302317, 265 btl.)
Nose: some brown sugar, apple cake and raisins but also sour berries, citrus peels and some leathery notes. I’m also getting cracked peppercorns. Then aromatic wood comes out (cigar boxes) as well as light potpourri and whiffs of silver polish.
Mouth: now the spice comes forward. Pepper, cinnamon and ginger, as well as some earthy touches. The toffee notes are in the background, now joined by dark chocolate. Prickly pear, sweetened black tea and hints of orange peels. Hints of liquorice too.
Finish: medium, on sweet and sour fruits, black tea and burnt caramel.
The refill sherry works quite well here alongside the robust spirit. Above average complexity for its age. This is simply nice whisky. The last few bottles are available from Simply Whisky.