Bladnoch 11 Year (2021 Release)

This bottle from lot L21-6121 076 Nose: Grass clippings, wet hay, asparagus, lemongrass, grapefruit, kiwifruit, mustard, freshly sawn pinewood. If allowed to rest in a covered glass for some time it develops notes of honeysuckle and pear. Water softens the nose and creates a sweeter smelling profile. Palate: The arrival is full of herbal/vegetal notes with some mild bitter spiciness, but it is unusual in character (see below). Kiwifruit, white grape juice, dandelion root, cardboard and oatmeal in the development. The mouth-feel is pleasant, slightly oily and with good weight. Finish: Medium. Sharp citrus, then fading to grassy astringency. A dash of water softens the palate and finish, and I thought this whisky was much better after diluting it. An unusual profile that is herbaceous in the broadest sense, but that term does not adequately describe this whisky. It is not herbal in the same manner as most other whiskies that are so described, and perhaps “soft green plant-like” is a more accurate (if clumsy) descriptor. On the nose I get sharp, citric and spicy herbal tones such as lemongrass and mustard, but the palate is where it becomes very unusual. I tasted rocket (you might know it as rucola or arugula), mustard cress, dill weed, yellow dock and purslane – all pungent, sharp tasting green plants. There was a presence of sulphurous boiled vegetables as well - cabbage, brussels sprouts and asparagus. These unusual vegetal notes contrast with the citric facets of the whisky and the whole is set against some very fresh smelling wood with a resinous quality. I did notice a significant change as the level in the bottle decreased. The whisky became softer with oxidisation, developed more honey notes in both nose and palate, and the brighter vegetative qualities diminished. It is an interesting whisky, but as you have probably gathered highly individual and I think it would either appeal or repulse depending on the aroma and flavour associations it calls to your mind. It is certainly thought-provoking and drew me back for repeated nosing and tastes in attempt to unravel it, but it wasn’t until it had been open for several weeks and the level was down past half way that I began to really enjoy it. Initially I would have rated it as 80/100 at most but with time it achieved a better score. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)

Zacht en zoetig

Nose is bright caramel, hay, hazelnuts, and some cardboard. There's also some cherry candy, with emphasis on the candy. Drinks a bit hot. The bourbon barrels really come through. Taste is cherry, old-timey candy, nut butter, finishing to loads of barrel spice and a drying grassiness. Gets more astringent the more you drink it, but it's not really bitter. It's the most bourbon-like scotch I've ever had.

It doesn’t make Luke pucker up as much. I get peach cobbler with sugar crystals sprinkled on top on the nose. The palate is a bit more full and rich. Brown butter, cinnamon and allspice. It’s plenty sweet, but it also has a good bit of earthy character that I really appreciate. That’s a unique, robust whisky with a nice long spicy finish.