Blair Athol 11 Year Old - The Old Friends

Rich, Dried Fruits
2024-01-07

Scotch Universe is a German independent bottler based in Dülmen. In collaboration with their office in Glasgow, they offer special releases under various brands. The "The Old Friends" series showcases single cask bottlings at cask strength - unfiltered and with no added coloring. The marketing approach revolves around presenting these exceptional malts as gifts for old friends. Today, we have a Blair Athol in the glass, matured for 11 years in a red wine barrique cask.

Blair Athol 11 Year Old - The Old Friends (@whiskyedition)

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Smell

Right from the start, this malt reveals itself as exceptionally robust. Intense notes of red fruits like plums and dark grapes take the center stage. Light walnut aromas and subtly charred notes accompany them. Fresh roasted malt, complemented by a discreet leather note and a touch of pepper, round out the flavor profile.

Taste

The mouthfeel is immediately extremely oily, caressing the palate intensely. As expected, the taste is powerful but less sweet than the nose might suggest. Dried red fruits, a distinctive leather-tobacco note, and pronounced wine aromas characterize this malt. The whole experience is enveloped by intense tannins.

Finish

The finish is medium to long, displaying pronounced oaky spiciness. Reminiscent of mixed peppers, a slight bitterness from the tannins continues to shine.

Thoughts

The Bordeaux cask has really left its mark on this Blair Athol 11 year old bottled by Scotch Universe. The malt is robust and impresses with a powerful presence. This single cask release is a delightful composition, ideal for the cold days at the start of the new year.

Rating: 79/100 - Very Good (Marcel: 79 | Sascha: 80)

Value for Money: 4/5 - Good

Preview Image Source: The Whisky Exchange