Blair Athol 11 Years Old Dram Mor Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 56%

A refill bourbon barrel rarely promises much. This one kept its cards close for eleven years and then delivered a dram that tastes of far more than the paperwork suggests.

Expert description

Blair Athol 11 Years Dram Mor is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Refill Bourbon Barrel #308610, bottled at cask strength, 56%.

The bottler Dràm Mòr buys single casks and bottles them without blending. This cask gave 305 bottles, which fits a single barrel, so the entire run comes from the same wood and the same day at the distillery.

Blair Athol sits in Pitlochry in the Highlands and is best known as the backbone of the Bell's blend. The distillery's own spirit is heavy and lightly nutty, and it does well in a quiet refill cask where the house character has room to show.

Tasting notes

Nose

Very fresh with a surprising note of prunes. A trace of honey syrup, sweet green grapes, a hint of blue cheese and lilies.

Palate

Cool, syrupy and lightly spiced with a full mouthfeel that coats everything in spiced butter. Far more than a refill bourbon barrel normally offers.

Finish

Bright, soft and clean with a lasting play of honey, warmth and gentle bitterness.

Specifications

Name: Blair Athol 11 Years Dram Mor Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 56%
Distillery: Blair Athol
Bottler: Dràm Mòr
Region/Country: Highlands, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 56%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Bourbon Barrel #308610
Number of bottles: 305

Flavour profile

Fruity · Honeyed · Spiced · Full · Floral

Investment potential

Medium. A single cask bottling of 305 bottles from a smaller bottler, and single casks by definition cannot be repeated.

Did you know?

Blair Athol distillery draws on a spring called Allt Dour, Gaelic for the otter's burn. Water from it has been used in production since the distillery was founded in 1798.

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Frequently asked questions about Blair Athol 11 Years Dram Mor Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 56%

What does single cask mean?

That all the whisky in the bottle comes from one cask, without being blended with others. Every cask matures differently, so a single cask bottling is a fingerprint that cannot be reproduced.

Is 305 bottles a small run?

Yes. A bourbon barrel is the smallest of the common cask sizes and typically yields between 200 and 320 bottles. Once they are sold, no more of this exact whisky exists.

What is a refill cask?

A cask that has held whisky at least once before. It gives up less wood flavour than a first fill cask and lets the distillery's own character take up more room in the glass.

Is 56% too strong?

That depends on habit. Cask strength means the whisky has not been diluted, and you control how much water goes in. Start with a few drops at a time.

What characterises Blair Athol's spirit?

A heavy, meaty style with nutty and lightly syrupy notes. The distillery mainly supplies blends, which is why single malt bottlings usually come from independent bottlers. See more under Independent Whisky Bottlers.

What does Highland whisky taste like in general?

The region is large and holds many styles, but Highland malt is often described as full-bodied, lightly spiced and with more weight than Lowland whisky. See the whole range under Scotch Whisky.