Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 43%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: Yes
Added colouring: Yes
Owner: Diageo
Average price: € 75.00
Official website: –
Vote: 81/100
Founded in 1798 as Aldour Distillery, Blair Athol, which has borne this name since 1825, presents itself as a charming collection of grey stone buildings shrouded in ivy. The fact that it is only 11 km away from Blair Castle, which serves as the headquarters of, among others, Scotland’s (and perhaps the world’s) most exclusive whiskophile club, the Keepers of the Quaitch, further increases our desire to visit. While waiting for that to happen, we are content to contemplate its charms in photographs. And to drink its whisky, of course.
As a single malt, Blair Athol is tricky to come by in its original bottlings (some will recall a 23yo in the 2017 Special Releases), and you often have to rely on independents to taste it. Today, however, we are lucky enough to pour the 12yo from the popular Flora & Fauna series, matured entirely in ex-Sherry casks and offered at 43%ABV.
Tasting notes
The colour is amber.
On the nose, the attack is unmistakably sherried: sultanas, figs and brown sugar, with a timid spicy hint of nutmeg and a balsamic scent that, at times, suggests pine resin. A floral effluvium traceable to violets accompanies an interesting but tepid drift into the mineral. Although faded in terms of intensity, the whole is not lacking in suggestion.
The mouthfeel is peppery, with creamy notes of milk chocolate and cappuccino, a foray of nuts with almonds and ripe fruit with dates, a citrusy touch of orange zest and a hint of polished wood. Here too, the aromatic range is not unpleasant, but it is, to our palate, not very incisive.
The medium-short finish confirms the overall lightness, with rather evanescent impressions of brown sugar and custard, and a very slight spiciness.
As pleasant as the dram is, the sensation is of a whisky that is at least partially unexpressed, in which the qualities of the Blair Athol distillate, already seen in the single cask test, are penalised by a decidedly unexciting degree of alcohol content.