Whisky Review/Tasting: Blair Athol 29 Years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Blair Athol Distillery, located in Pitlochry, a picturesque village in the Highlands on the way to the north of Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation Date: June 24th, 1988.
Bottling Date: October 16th, 2017.
Age Statement: 29 years.
Maturation: Matured in a Hogshead cask (cask number 4855). The cask yielded just 72 bottles, indicating significant evaporation over the years.
ABV: 46%.
Cask Type: Hogshead, with an unclear origin of the wood (could be ex-bourbon or sherry casks).
Color and Clarity: Not explicitly described, but the whisky is implied to have a dark appearance.
Bottle Design: Not described, but as a Signatory Vintage bottling, it likely follows their standard presentation.

Nose: A complex and unusual profile with notes of vanilla, dampness, and darkness, suggesting a unique character that defies easy categorization.
Palate: Full-bodied with a burst of oakiness, developing spices, and a hint of vanilla and caramel. The whisky exhibits a rich and mature character without bitterness.
Finish: Long and rewarding with a slight bitterness of oak emerging in the aftertaste.

Signatory Vintage Anniversary: 1988 is a significant year as it marks the founding of Signatory Vintage by Andrew Symington and his brother. This bottle is part of special bottlings celebrating the anniversary.
Distillery Proximity: The Edradour Distillery, home of Signatory Vintage, is located just above the Blair Athol Distillery, highlighting a geographical and operational closeness.

Blair Athol Distillery's picturesque location in Pitlochry and its role as a "workhorse" for Bell's blend contribute to its unique identity. The distillery's limited single malt bottlings, including this one, are highly sought after by enthusiasts.

"This one is different; it's complicated; it's strange; it's so different to other ones." - Luening's impression of the whisky's unique and challenging profile.
"I'm able to tell you everything I smell in whisky but not this time... It's like a damp, dark warehouse." - Luening expressing difficulty in categorizing the whisky's aroma.
"Everything's fine with that. But what's in the smell? I can't tell you." - Luening's concluding thoughts on the whisky's perplexing character.

Blair Athol 29 Years is a single malt Scotch whisky with a unique and complex profile.
Matured in a Hogshead cask, it presents an unusual combination of vanilla, dampness, and darkness in its aroma.
The palate is full-bodied and rich, with oakiness, spices, and a hint of vanilla and caramel.
The whisky is part of Signatory Vintage's special bottlings, celebrating its founding year.
Luening, the master taster, finds the whisky's aroma challenging to describe, highlighting its distinctiveness.

Whisky Connoisseurs: Individuals with a deep appreciation for complex and unique flavor profiles will find this whisky intriguing.
Collectors: Given its limited bottling and significance to Signatory Vintage's anniversary, collectors may be particularly interested.
Adventurous Tasters: Those looking to explore unusual and challenging whiskies will be drawn to this expression.