Liz’s Lowlander Launch – Bladnoch Single Malt

Liz’s Lowlander Launch – Bladnoch Single Malt: In 2021, Chuck, Raj, and I had the pleasure of visiting the lovely newly-rebuilt BLADNOCH Distillery by the Scottish Borders. Is Bladnoch a good malt? It’s a great dram, as evidence by my expenditure of $900 for 3 special releases! So, I’m looking forward to our Bladnoch event.

Let’s start the evening with Bladnoch Vinaya which was conventionally aged in a combination of bourbon or sherry casks for its full maturation. It was bottled at 46.7% ABV, non-chill-filtered, and no coloration added. Samsara is aged for about 11-years (although no age guarantee is recorded on its label) in Bourbon and red wine casks. It’s also 46.7% ABV and NCF. Next up is Alinta, a peated dram from PX sherry and bourbon casks. This one comes in at 47% ABV and is NCF.

Liora is Bladnoch’s first core expression at cask strength. After maturation in new oak and bourbon casks, it was bottled at 52.2% ABV without reduction. We will wind things up with 2 aged statement expressions. The 11-Year was aged exclusively in fresh bourbon barrels of charred American white oak and bottled at 46.7% ABV without filtration or coloration. Its 14- Year was matured in Oloroso sherry casks for its full maturation and then bottled at 46.7% ABV on a NCF and NCA basis, all being best practices. Do come and bring a good friend to chat with Liz Espy and enjoy the whisky creations of Nick Savage, Ph.D. (Engr), and David Prior, the owner of Bladnoch Distillery.

May I suggest: Don’t miss this one!

WHISKY MENU: 6 Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

1. BLADNOCH Single Malt / ‘Vinaya’ (Bourbon & Sherry first-fill) / NAS / 46.7% ABV / NCF / OB: Bladnoch Distillery Ltd. / Dist Owner: David Prior / Lowland (Wigtown, Dumfries)

2. BLADNOCH Single Malt / ‘Samsara’ (Bourbon & CA Red Wine) / NAS (11+ yr) / 46.7% ABV / NCF / OB: Bladnoch Distillery Ltd. / Dist Owner: David Prior / Lowland (Wigtown, Dumfries)

3. BLADNOCH Single Malt / ‘Alinta’ (Peated; PX Sherry & Bourbon) / NAS / 47% ABV / NCF / OB: Bladnoch Distillery Ltd. / Dist Owner: David Prior / Lowland (Wigtown, Dumfries)

4. BLADNOCH Single Malt / ‘Liora’ (Bourbon & New Oak) – Classic Collection / NAS (8-10+Yr) / CS 52.2% ABV / NCF / OB: Bladnoch Distillery Ltd. / Dist Owner: David Prior /Lowland (Wigtown, Dumfries)

5. BLADNOCH Single Malt / 11-Year (Bourbon) / 46.7% ABV / NCF / OB: Bladnoch Distillery Ltd. / Dist Owner: David Prior / Lowland (Wigtown, Dumfries)

6. BLADNOCH Single Malt / 14-Year (Oloroso Sherry) – 2021 Special Release / 46.7% ABV / NCF / OB: Bladnoch Distillery Ltd. / Dist Owner: David Prior / Lowland (Wigtown, Dumfries)