Bladnoch 8 years old Single Lowland Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%

Eight years does not sound like much, but on a light Lowland spirit it is enough. The bourbon cask has had time to set vanilla and fudge in place without smothering the freshness that makes the style recognisable.

Expert description

Bladnoch 8 Years is a Single Lowland Malt Whisky matured in refill bourbon casks and bottled at 46%.

This is an older version of the distillery's eight year old, a bottle from before the current range was built. Refill bourbon casks were chosen precisely so as not to drown the spirit, and the result is soft and round with plenty of sweetness.

Bladnoch sits in Galloway and is Scotland's southernmost distillery. The house works with unpeated malt and a pale spirit style, where bourbon casks have traditionally formed the backbone of the range.

Tasting notes

Nose

Vanilla and fudge first, then fresh apples, a little coconut and a light grainy sweetness.

Palate

Soft and round with caramel, vanilla and white fruit. The 46% gives it enough body to keep the sweetness from flattening out.

Finish

Medium and light with vanilla, grain and a dry oak note at the end.

Specifications

Name: Bladnoch 8 Years Single Lowland Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Bladnoch
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Lowland Malt Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill bourbon casks

Flavour profile

Soft · Vanilla · Fruity · Sweet · Light

Did you know?

US law allows a bourbon barrel to be used only once for bourbon. That is why Scotland has had access to inexpensive, nearly new oak casks for decades — and why vanilla is such a widespread note in Scotch whisky.

See our full range of Bladnoch

Frequently asked questions about Bladnoch 8 Years Single Lowland Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%

Is eight years young for a single malt?

Slightly, but not a problem. Light Lowland spirits mature faster than heavy, oily ones, and eight years in an active bourbon cask goes a long way for this style.

What does a refill bourbon cask do to the whisky?

It adds vanilla, coconut, caramel and pale spice. Because the cask has already given some of itself to the bourbon, it works more gently and lets the spirit's own character through.

Is it sweet?

Yes, at the soft end. The sweetness comes from the cask and from the grain itself, not from added sugar — whisky may not be sweetened.

Is it a good place to start with single malt?

Yes. There is no smoke, no heavy sherry and no hard alcohol to fight through. If you want the opposite afterwards, Peaty Whisky is waiting.

How does it differ from the current Bladnoch range?

The current series uses different cask combinations and different naming. This release represents an earlier period in the distillery's history.

What does unpeated malt mean?

It means the barley has been dried without a peat fire. Without peat smoke, the grain's own sweetness and the cask contribution come through more clearly.