Blair Athol 10 Years 2007/2019 - Douglas Laing
Although Blair Athol is not a small distillery, its Single Malts are not among the best known. Over 90% of the production goes into Bell's blended Scotch. Today we have a 10-years independent bottling of a single Blair Athol cask from Douglas Laing's Provenance series in the glass.
Tasting Notes
Nose
On the nose, the Single Malt is soft and sweet. We think of freshly baked butter cake. This is joined by notes of vanilla, honey and oats. The aroma is rounded off by a pleasant maltiness complemented by cereals.
Palate
On the palate, the Blair Athol is not as soft as the nose suggested. Caramel toffee, honey and vanilla are joined by surprisingly spicy flavours. Intense oak leaves a distinct tingle on the tongue despite the creamy mouthfeel. Despite its age, the spiciness verges on light ethanol pepperiness.
Finish
The medium-long finish is also dominated by toasted oak spice. This leaves a clear bitterness on the palate. Behind this, there is still some grain and hints of dark chocolate.
Thoughts
Marcel 65/100
This Blair Athol is quite enjoyable, especially if you appreciate the sweet notes of butter cake and honey. Unfortunately, it struggles a bit with bitterness and doesn’t feel entirely balanced – yet it’s definitely worth a try for a quick tasting.
Sascha 67/100
The balance between sweet and spicy elements still feels underdeveloped here, causing the whisky’s overall structure to seem somewhat uneven. Despite interesting aromas, the integration of oak spice and bitterness leaves room for improvement.
Value for Money: Fair
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79/100Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Blair Athol 10 Years 2007/2019 from Douglas Laing particularly interesting for whisky connoisseurs?
This bottling comes from a single cask at the Blair Athol distillery, independently selected by Douglas Laing. As a result, it offers an unadulterated flavor profile that stands apart from the usual standard releases, highlighting the distillery’s characteristic maltiness and oak spice.
How does the taste of Blair Athol 10 Years differ from other Highland whiskies?
The Blair Athol 10 Years combines a sweet nose with notes of butter cake, vanilla, and honey, while the palate surprises with spiciness and intense oak influence. Its creamy mouthfeel and bitter oak spice on the finish set it apart from many other Highland whiskies, which tend to be milder and fruitier.
What role does the 46% alcohol content play in this bottling?
At 46% ABV, the whisky sits slightly above the usual standard strength of 40-43%. This provides a more intense aroma and pronounced spiciness without sacrificing balance. The subtle ethanol warmth supports the complex flavor notes without becoming overpowering.