Whisky: Blair Athol 14 Year (2007), SMWS 68.88 "Living happily ever after"

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 53.3%

Cask: Hogshead (11Y), First Fill STR PX Sherry Barrique

Age: 14 Years (Distilled 5 Oct. 2007)

Nose: Big fruits and chocolate with a touch of spice and mossy stones; cherries and plums resting in syrup-filled candy jars, dried and salted stone fruits on the side with li hing mui and anise; chocolate bonbons with a touch of strawberry and wood lacquer.

Palate: Medium-bodied, salted plums and dried fruits, li hing mui over cherries and candied orange peel, licorice and anise, root beer flavored syrup, a touch of butter and maltier pastries— rum cakes and black sugar buns; wood and a touch of herbal tobacco toward the end.

Finish: Medium to long with brown sugar, malty pastry, and citrus.

Score: 7 (82)

Mental Image: Wooden “Do Not Lick the Jar” Sign

Narrative & Notes: The aroma was big, loud, and gregarious, with massive jars of fruits and candies displayed in an old-fashioned Crackseed store— a type of Chinese candy store common in old Hawaii. Plums, cherries, rock sugar, li hing mui, strawberry, and anise wafted in with a touch of wood lacquer and mossy stones. The final sherry maturation expressed itself clearly, elevating the fruitier elements of the malt and giving them a lovely candied spice. The palate featured much the same, with the cask pushing everything toward candies fruit with a dazzling sprinkle of li hing mui, orange, and sweet concentrated root beer flavored syrup. A touch spirited and spicy at times, water cooled it off easily and brought more cola to the fore. The flavors were familiar, well-structured, and fairly balanced if perhaps a touch sweet for my taste. The finish was medium to long with brown sugar buns, candied citrus, and oak.

Overall, not a subtle whisky! This kind of big cask affair is not really to my taste, but there was enough going on here to keep me interested and a bit of water helped break up some of the woody tannins and bright spirit.