Blair Athol 9 Years 2014/2023 - Signatory Vintage
The 9-years Blair Athol - number 3 in Signatory Vintage's 100 proof series - was distilled in 20214 and bottled in winter 2023 and sold out within a few hours, just like the other two bottlings in the series. And rightly so? At 57.1% ABV, the alcohol content of the bottlings corresponds exactly to the minimum level at which gunpowder soaked in alcohol ignites - or 100 British proof.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Wow. That's exciting. Cough syrup, eucalyptus and Ricola Swiss herbal sweets are the dominant aromas on the nose, followed by coffee, leather and blackcurrant. If that wasn't enough, we also smell a good portion of liquorice. All extremely intense.
Palate
Clearly 99.9% dark chocolate paired with freshly ground coffee, tobacco (almost ashy) and rubber. The herbal and cough syrupy notes are also present in the flavour. On the fruity side, we taste a few plums. The whole flavour is overwhelming (both positively and negatively), intense, dry and extremely full-bodied.
Finish
The long, smooth finish is characterised by tobacco, pepper, leather and burnt oak.
Thoughts
Marcel 79/100
This Blair Athol is a wild ride through dark flavor realms – intense, almost overloaded, but precisely because of that, exciting. Ideal for enthusiasts willing to embrace a powerful character with notes of chocolate, leather, and robust herbs, but definitely not an easy-going whisky for casual social evenings.
Sascha 79/100
The cask strength of 57.1% delivers an overwhelming presence that structurally dominates the Blair Athol and shifts the balance in favor of intense, bitter notes. A demanding malt with complex aromatics, distinguished less by harmony and more by power and depth – not necessarily accessible, but technically fascinating.
Value for Money: Excellent
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72/100Frequently Asked Questions
What does the designation "100 Proof" mean for this Blair Athol whisky?
"100 Proof" corresponds to an alcohol content of 57.1% ABV. Historically, "Proof" referred to the alcohol level at which gunpowder soaked in alcohol could still ignite. For this whisky, it signals a particularly high drinking strength.
How does the age of 9 years influence the taste of this Blair Athol whisky?
At 9 years, the whisky is relatively young, which is reflected in its intensity and freshness. The flavors are powerful and full-bodied, with pronounced notes of herbs, licorice, and dark chocolate, which gain sufficient depth and complexity through maturation in the wooden cask.
What distinguishes the Signatory Vintage bottling compared to standard Blair Athol whiskies?
Signatory Vintage is an independent bottler that often releases special cask strengths and limited editions. This bottling at 57.1% ABV is significantly stronger than many standard versions and offers an intense aroma and flavor experience, characterized by the selection of special casks and bottling timings.