To say that Bladnoch has had a checkered history is a bit of an understatement. Having been rebuilt twice, sold four times, and closed twice, anyone could be excused for not having managed to get a dram of this Lowland whisky into their glass. The most recent closure of the distillery occurred in 1993, the same year this spirit was distilled, when United Distillers and Vintners (UDV for short, and now known as Diageo) mothballed the distillery, ultimately selling it to Irishman Raymond Alexander in 1994, who since reopened Bladnoch in 2000. Thankfully prior to the decision to mothball it, UDV opted to sell some of their new make to Gordon & MacPhail whose careful maturation of it in their own casks has resulted in this particular expression becoming available to whisky lovers around the world upon bottling in 2009 at 43%.
Continue reading Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur's Choice Bladnoch 1993.
)
Recent Comments
It's a damn shame that they decided Canada wasn't worthy of the original age-statement line. I looked high and low for bottles of The Macallan Cask Strength (one of their best ever IMO) and the 12 yr expressions and was able to find a couple in the USA a few years back. I bought a bottle of The Macallan 12 yr when I was in Sweden last fall and I was reminded just how delicious this whisky is compared to the Legacy line.
You're right, it's worth hoarding!
John, I can't say that I'd recommend a dip in the North Atlantic but I admire your courage! :) Thanks for the feedback.
Thank you for a great review! I enjoy comparing Talisker's lighter peatiness to Lagavulin 16.
I appreciate your "brine" and "salty" descriptions. I visited the distillery last summer and took a cold plunge into the water off of a beach on the Isle of Skye. The cold, salty waves slapping my face and lips were like Talisker splashing on my tongue!