Blair Athol 12 years old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 43%

An otter on the label and a distillery few people could name. The Flora & Fauna series was the first attempt to give the workhorses behind the big blends a bottle of their own.

Expert description

Blair Athol 12 Years Flora & Fauna is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 43%.

The series was launched in 1991 by United Distillers, today Diageo, and gathered 26 different single malts from distilleries that otherwise supplied only blends. The aim was to show the differences between Scotland's whisky regions. Most were bottled at 43%, while a few appeared at cask strength or in wooden boxes.

Blair Athol in Pitlochry has been the spirit's home since 1798. The style is heavy and nutty with a syrupy sweetness that makes the whisky recognisable among the other Highland malts in the series.

Tasting notes

Nose

Malty sweetness with raisin, brown sugar and a nutty, almost meaty note underneath.

Palate

Full and syrupy with dried fruit, dark sugar and a stroke of spice. There is real weight through the middle.

Finish

Medium and dry with nuts, malt and a lightly bitter oak note.

Specifications

Name: Blair Athol 12 Years Flora & Fauna Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43%
Distillery: Blair Athol
Region/Country: Highlands, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Flora & Fauna
EAN no.: 5000389405318

Flavour profile

Malty · Nutty · Sweet · Spiced · Full

Investment potential

Medium. The Flora & Fauna series has become a collecting field in itself, and several releases have already been discontinued. Demand has risen as the series has been cut back.

Did you know?

The animal on the label is not chosen at random. Every bottle in the series shows an animal or plant from the area around the distillery, and Blair Athol's otter refers to the Allt Dour spring, the otter's burn.

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Frequently asked questions about Blair Athol 12 Years Flora & Fauna Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43%

What is the Flora & Fauna series?

A series of single malts released from the early 1990s from distilleries that mainly supplied blends. It gave 26 distilleries their own official bottling, many for the first time. The series is one of the most recognisable in Scotch whisky history.

Why 43% and not 40%?

43% was the standard for the series and gives a little more body than the legal minimum. It is a common export strength that many official bottlings still use.

Is it worth the money?

The series has been cut back over time, several releases are discontinued, and Blair Athol as an official single malt is not widely available. Twelve years of age and the distillery's role in the Bell's blend give the bottle its background.

How does it compare with an independent bottling of Blair Athol?

The official release is more restrained and balanced, because it is assembled from many casks and reduced to 43%. Independent single casks are often stronger and more extreme in one direction or another.

What else is Blair Athol used for?

Most of the production goes to Bell's, historically one of Britain's best selling blends. That is why single malt from the distillery is relatively scarce.

Does it make a good gift?

Yes. The age statement, the recognisable label and an approachable strength make it a safe choice for someone who enjoys classic, unpeated Scotch whisky.