Blair Athol 9 Year Old 2014/2023 - Signatory Vintage
Rich, Dried Fruits2024-02-27
At 57.1% ABV, the alcohol content of the bottlings corresponds exactly to the minimum level at which gunpowder soaked in alcohol ignites - or 100 British proof.
Smell
Wow. That's exciting. Cough syrup, eucalyptus and Ricola Swiss herbal sweets are the dominant aromas on the nose, followed by coffee, leather and blackcurrant. If that wasn't enough, we also smell a good portion of liquorice. All extremely intense.
Taste
Clearly 99.9% dark chocolate paired with freshly ground coffee, tobacco (almost ashy) and rubber. The herbal and cough syrupy notes are also present in the flavour. On the fruity side, we taste a few plums. The whole flavour is overwhelming (both positively and negatively), intense, dry and extremely full-bodied.
Finish
The long, smooth finish is characterised by tobacco, pepper, leather and burnt oak.
Thoughts
The judgement is clearly "overpowered". The Blair Athol is literally run over by the casks here. The colour and aromas are dark, almost sinister and really intense. Instead of the usual sherry fruits, chocolate, leather and musty notes take over here.
Signatory Vintage has bottled something here that you really have to be in the mood for. We can't imagine a bottle of this being emptied in a relaxed evening with friends. This single malt whisky is clearly not suitable for inexperienced guests.