Bladnoch Samsara Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46.7%

Samsara means rebirth, and the name was chosen carefully. Bladnoch stood silent for six years before the distillery was started up again — this bottle belongs to the second round.

Expert description

Bladnoch Samsara is a Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in red wine casks and bourbon casks and bottled at 46.7% without chill filtration and without added colour.

The whisky brings together malts where Californian red wine casks deliver dark fruit and the reddish tone, while bourbon casks build vanilla and pale sweetness underneath. The cask combination has been a running signature for the distillery since the restart.

Samsara is one of the named releases without an age statement, where cask history rather than maturation time is the pivot. That lets Bladnoch work with younger and older components in the same bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Plum and red berries with vanilla, orange peel and a light floral note.

Palate

Sweet and full with plum, vanilla and citrus, carried by a soft texture that owes much to the lack of chill filtration.

Finish

Medium and lightly dry with red fruit slowly giving way to oak and grain.

Specifications

Name: Bladnoch Samsara Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46.7%
Distillery: Bladnoch
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46,7%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Red wine casks and bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Samsara
EAN no.: 0851370006044

Flavour profile

Fruity · Sweet · Floral · Wine matured · Soft

Did you know?

The word samsara comes from Sanskrit and describes the cycle of birth and rebirth. It is an unusual name for a Scotch whisky and a direct nod to the distillery's own history of closures and reopenings.

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Frequently asked questions about Bladnoch Samsara Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46.7%

Why does it carry no age statement?

Because the make-up of casks matters more to the expression than a set maturation time. Without an age statement the distillery can mix older and younger components to hit the intended profile.

Is it sweet?

Yes, at the fruity end. The red wine casks give plum and red berries while the bourbon casks lay vanilla underneath. There is still a dry edge from the oak on the finish.

Why is the colour reddish?

Red wine casks pass colour to the whisky. Bladnoch bottles Samsara without added colour, so the hue comes from the casks alone.

Is it good for beginners?

Yes. The fruit is approachable, the alcohol moderate and there is no smoke. It is at the same time interesting enough to hold someone who already knows a little about single malt.

How does it differ from a sherry matured whisky?

Sherry casks typically give nut, raisin and dried fruit, while red wine casks give fresher berry and a light acidity. See more Scottish styles under Scotch Whisky.

What does it pair with?

Try it with dark chocolate, a red berry tart or a mature cheese with some sweetness. The fruit in the whisky finds common ground with sweet flavours easily.