The Basics:
Do I recommend it?: Meh.
Availability: UK and EU specialty retail.
ABV: 43%
Presentation: Unspecified
General information: Nothing stated, but definitely tastes like it’s had some time with some pretty fresh sherry butts.
Bottling type: Proprietary
Character: Rich, nutty, woody.
Score: 81/100
The details:
Nowadays, the Perthshire town of Pitlochry is mainly known for the tiny and picturesque Edradour distillery, and as being home to Edradour’s owner, the independent bottler Signatory. However, the town has another, older distillery: Blair Athol.
Founded as Aldour in 1798 by John Steward and Robert Robertson, the distillery changed its name to Blair Athol in 1825, after a nearby village of the same name. By the mid-20th century it was in the hands of the blending house Arthur Bell and Sons, which was itself absorbed into what would become Diageo in 1985. There was an official bottling at 8 years old in the 1980s, and a Flora and Fauna bottling since the 90s.
My bottle of this stuff is long empty, and I haven’t bothered to replace it, but in my experience, the Flora and Fauna bottlings remain fairly consistent over the years. Although Diageo is allergic to making specifications about their use of coloring or chillfiltration, my guess is that this, along with most of its range-mates, is natural color, albeit likely chillfiltered; the dark, almost orangey tone of this whisky suggests some active sherry butts, which is reflected in the character of the spirit. It’s pleasant enough stuff, although to my mind, you can find more appealing sherried whiskies elsewhere.
Blair Athol 12, 43% abv
Bottling Information:
Expression: Blair Athol 12
Bottler: Proprietor
Range: Flora and Fauna
Bottle Code: L8310CR000 03282417
Presentation: Unspecified
Details: n/a
Price: $50-60
Availability: UK and EU based specialty retail, for example Whisky Exchange or Whisky World.
Distillery Information:
Region: Highlands
Location: Pitlochry, Perthshire
Geography: Inland
Date Founded: 1798
Owner: Diageo
Website: https://www.malts.com/en-us/
Capacity: 2,800,000
Plant Summary: MASH TUN: Lauter; WASHBACKS: 4 wood, 2 steel; STILLS: 4; HEAT SOURCE: Steam; CONDENSER: Shell and Tube
Total expressions sampled: 1
Overall distillery score: n/a
Tasting notes:
Nose: Noticeable trace of wood; lime. Candied fruit sweetness complimented by earthy notes from the wood and a citric freshness. Vanilla extract. Orange.
Body: Medium with a somewhat chalky texture.
Palate: Big, sturdy stuff. A rounded oakiness dominates with notes of pecan and walnut. A faint honey sweetness is balanced by a green apple tartness.
Finish: Drying, on the long side with wood lingering; hints of BBQ smoke. Sturdy, well-built with a lot of wood influence.
Score: 81/100
Who should buy it?: Sherry lovers, or those collecting Flora and Fauna bottlings.
Overall thoughts: An enjoyable, biggish whisky, that for me doesn’t quite come together. Maybe a higher abv would help?
If you enjoyed this review and would like to make a small donation to support this site, please click here.
Whisky Considered 