Bladnoch debuts peated whisky range

The oldest privately-owned working distiller in the Scottish Lowlands, Bladnoch, has released a collection of rare peated whiskies.

The five-strong range includes Bladnoch Alinta, Alinta Reserve, 2009 Sherry Hogshead, 2009 Rum Cask and 2009 Bourbon Barrel.

The latter four whiskies will join the Bladnoch Alinta as the only peated expressions added to the distillery’s portfolio since it was taken over by David Prior in 2015. Bottled at 47% ABV, the Bladnoch Alinta originally debuted last year and was made from a combination of Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks. At the time of completion, it was unlike anything the distillery had released.

Dr Nick Savage, master distiller at Bladnoch, created the collection and used 100% first-fill Amontillado Sherry hogshead casks for the Alinta Reserve and three single casks – of rum, Bourbon and Sherry hogshead – for the others, from Bladnoch’s 2009 maturing stocks.

The collection is designed to showcase the ‘rarity, scarcity and uniqueness of Bladnoch’s peated history’.

Savage commented: “The Bladnoch Peated Collection has been inspired by our 2009 stocks, which are uniquely 100% peated. Lowland single malt is not traditionally peated, however, the launch of Alinta had such an amazing reception from everyone.

”I wanted to extend this limited but unique peated section in our portfolio for those who enjoy the smoky styles of Bladnoch. Our peated collection is an annual celebration of the extremely unique and rare 2009 stocks at Bladnoch.’’

The Alinta Reserve (46.7% ABV) will be an annual limited batch release, selected by Savage, of only 2,000 bottles. This year’s edition has notes of smoky campfire and white chocolate.

For the Sherry Hogshead whisky (58.3% ABV), 262 bottles were produced and it is said to bring a profile of nutmeg and dates to the nose, and plum jam and smoky campfire to the mouth. The finish has the ‘comforting taste of bonfire Christmas cake’.

Meanwhile, 248 bottles of the 2009 Rum Cask edition (54.1% ABV) are available and this has notes of sugarcane and apple pie, with a ‘subtly dry’ finish.

The final bottle, the 2009 Bourbon Barrel (55.9% ABV), is noted by the brand to feature a smoky vanilla custard smell, and a ‘toasted vanilla pods with the warmth of sandalwood’ taste. Just 231 bottles of this expression are available.

The Bladnoch Alinta is already on sale for £80 (US$97), but the rest of the peated collection can be purchased from 23 October, with the Alinta Reserve available in the UK, Germany, Taiwan, Australia and Korea for £120 (US$145) – while the single casks, each £200 (US$242), are exclusive to the UK through Bladnoch’s website.

Bladnoch recently hired Glen Gribbon as its new CEO and also offered up its The Samhla bottling at the The Distillers One of One auction.