Bladnoch 20 Year (1984), Scott’s Selection
Whisky : Bladnoch 20 Year (1984), Scott’s Selection
Country/Region : Scotland/Lowland
ABV : 55.1%
Cask : Oak
Age : 20 Years (Distilled 1984, Bottled 2004)
Nose : Waxy tropical fruits and cream. Notes of a tropical fruit yogurt bowl: the lactic creaminess of slightly tart full-fat yogurt with diced papaya, mango, passionfruit, and tinned pineapple. Waxy notes of orange peel gave way to pomelo and guava. A hint of lavender coming out with more time. The wife picked up slightly more cereal notes with fermented rice complimenting lemon peel.
Palate : Medium-bodied and oily with notes of cream, tropical fruits, and florals. Creamy yogurt mellowed into a lactic funk undercurrent while notes of guava, rambutan, pomelo, and vanilla burst on the palate. Crisp fruits faded to lavender and ti leaves on the mid-palate while musk candies held sway at the end.
Finish : Lingering floral and citrus
Score : 5
Mental Image : Yogurt or Laundry?
Notes : The wife and I first tried this dram while camping after a friend told me that a local shop had bottles of it in stock. I figured I had better try it out and see if it was worth stopping by to add an old Lowland malt to the cabinet. I scored this a five because I could not decide if it was a two or an eight.
The flavor profile was delightfully tropical, with a juicy variety of tropical fruits and some nice waxy citrus. The cream and an almost lactic funk which reminded me strongly of Bruichladdich. If I tasted this blind, I am sure I would have thought this was a more recent Bruichladdich than a Bladnoch from the 1980s. The cream and fruit made for an excellent package on the nose and palate that was relatively coherent.
Yet, there was also a floral element to this that, combined with the lactic and fruit notes, left me with the impression of soap. Once the impression of soap was in my mouth, I could not get it out. The initial pop of tropical fruits seemed to fade faster— like a roller coaster plunging down its first rise— and into soapy tropical florals. If this did not leave me with the impression that I had just tasted soap, I would have been floored by this. Overall, I am a bit disappointed because this was so close to greatness.
Image Credit: Whiskybase
