Blair Athol 2011/2023 Signatory Vintage 11 years old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Four casks, the same day at the distillery, the same treatment. Signatory shaved off the old layer of wood and toasted the casks again — and the whisky has had eleven years to get used to it.

Please note: There is wear and rust on the cap.

Expert description

Blair Athol 2011/2023 Signatory Vintage 11 Years is a Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky from four Dechar/Rechar Hogsheads, bottled at 46% without chill filtration and without added colour.

The whisky was distilled on 30 September 2011 and bottled in January 2023. Casks #306899, #306905, #306911 and #306913 all went through the same treatment, where the innermost layer of wood is planed away and the cask charred anew. The method recharges a used cask and returns vanilla, caramel and pale spice.

Blair Athol's spirit is heavy and malty, and the re-charred casks add sweetness without laying sherry or wine over it. The result is a clean reading of the distillery's own style.

Tasting notes

Nose

Vanilla and baked apple with malted grain, cinnamon and a lightly toasted note.

Palate

Malt and caramel with pale oak, honey and a stroke of white pepper. The texture is full for 46%.

Finish

Medium and dry with grain, vanilla and a toasted oak note.

Specifications

Name: Blair Athol 2011/2023 Signatory Vintage 11 Years Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Blair Athol
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Highlands, Scotland
Type: Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Dechar/Rechar Hogsheads #306899, #306905, #306911 and #306913
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 30/09/2011
Bottled: January 2023
EAN no.: 5021944121700

Flavour profile

Malty · Vanilla · Spiced · Sweet · Toasted oak

Did you know?

Dechar/rechar means planing the charred layer from the inside of a used cask and burning it again. The cask then behaves almost like new, but without delivering the same fierce tannin.

See our full range of Blair Athol
See our full range of Signatory Vintage

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about Blair Athol 2011/2023 Signatory Vintage 11 Years Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

What does dechar/rechar mean?

The inner, spent layer of wood is removed from a used cask, after which the cask is charred again. That exposes fresh wood and gives the whisky access to vanilla and caramel the old cask could no longer supply.

Is it from a single cask?

No, from four hogsheads distilled on the same day. That gives a slightly more even profile than a single cask bottling, but the run is still very limited.

Why 46% and not cask strength?

Signatory bottles both at cask strength and reduced. 46% is the lowest level at which whisky can still avoid chill filtration, which is why it is a common strength for unfiltered releases.

Is it peated?

No. There is no peat in this bottling. Blair Athol works with unpeated malt, and the casks add no smoke. Smoked alternatives are gathered under Peaty Whisky.

How does it work with food?

Try it with apple tart, caramelised nuts or a mature cheese with some sweetness. The malt and vanilla suit dessert better than savoury food.

Why are several cask numbers listed for one bottling?

Because every cask carries its own running number at the distillery. When several casks are bottled together, all numbers are stated so the release can be traced precisely.