Note: This review is for the independently bottled Bladnoch 26 year old from That Boutique-y Whisky Co The nose opens with orchard fruits, honey, vanilla and sweet bourbon. Let it sit a bit longer and confectionary sugar and malt works it’s way in to the mix. It really begins to bloom and becomes fuller given time. Vanilla cream, dried grass/hay, honeydew. A lightweight nose. These aromas (for me) evokes images of warm spring day in a grassy field. Arrives with a tingle on the tongue in a medium-light body. A fruity and sweet palate that delivers caramel apples, pineapples, coconut, melons, marshmallows. Like the nose, this benefits immensely with time and becomes sweeter and softer. There is a bit of lemon zest and fresh ginger which provides a gentle spicy zing at the finish. Caramel faintly brings as it draws to a close. Drying oak brings this to the end eliminating or dominating the closing flavors. A bright, fruity dram with complimentary sweetness. Very akin to it’s nearby Irish mates in terms of sweetness, fruitiness and mouthfeel. Perfect almost as a cordial, closing out a rich meal or a spicy medium-bodied cigar. The cost though and the lack of exposure (at least near me) is prohibitive. All said, thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample and providing me the opportunity to sample. [88/100][Tasted: 4/8/18]