A zero point score for me on sample #14, so in order to stay first place I really need to put some points on the board with sample #15. The problem is, I don’t really have a clue, so the best I can come up with is an educated guess. Here are my notes on the latest sample of the Blind Tasting Competition.
Bladnoch 1992/2014 (54,9%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 510 bts.)
Nose: Salty, but some vanilla as well. Also fruity with melon, underripe banana, grapefruit. An oaky quality with some wood shavings. Maybe some faint hay or straw.
Taste: Coconut, lemon, citrus and grapefruit. Salty and peppery, fiery even. A bit spicy with koriander and cinnamon. With water the palate gets drier and oakier.
Finish: Melon, than something sour. But then it develops into something quite nice with caramel and chocolate.
Rating: 86
A nice enough whisky, but not balanced enough to receive a higher score. My first instinct was Clynelish, but it really didn’t taste enougb like Clynelish for me to be sure. But since I had no better idea, that’s what I went with. I guessed it to be 17 years old with an abv of 57,5 percent.
Sadly, I was completely off, since this was a Lowlander. Bladnoch never even crossed my mind. Since Arjen, the number two in the Blind Tasting Competition, did really well last night, he has now overtaken me for the lead. That’s what two zero scores in a row will do to you. I’ll just have to do better tonight.
