Blair Athol 1989 (Kintra)

It’s been a while, but remember Kintra? A Dutch bottler, managed by Erik Molenaar. Since 2009 he has been selecting casks from all over Scotland.

Blair Athol 23 yo 1989 (50,8%, Kintra 2013, bourbon hogshead #6465, 117 btl.)

Nose: very natural, a bit malty, a bit grassy. Underneath is a nice layer of honey sweetness and peach preserve. Grows sweeter and sweeter. Apple syrup, muesli, candied ginger, some pineapple after a while. Hints of butter cream. Some fresh garden herbs.

Mouth: a malty core again, with a general fruity sweetness. Cake. Vanilla. Almond cream. Then more herbal notes again. Herbal honey. Liquorice and pepper.

Finish: quite long, slightly hot with plenty of spices and sweet oranges in the very end.

A pleasant Blair Athol, combining a malty sweetness with a spicy kick from the cask. Be sure to give the nose some time. Around € 95.

Score: 86/100