Signatory Vintage Blair Athol 1988 Cask Hand Picked by The Whisky Exchange

Style: Sherried and Composed

Rating: ☆ [Recommended]

Nose:

Caramel and red fruits filling up most of the spaces, while strawberries and butterscotch placing on top of a malty-meaty layer at the core. Plenty of heavy elements hanging around but the aroma feels surprisingly light. Floral confectioneries, black peppercorn, a sleek grass spear thrusts through with subtle coconut and sweet pineapple notes.

Palate:

The grassiness of the spirit cuts the path and leads the way. Caramel-fused strawberries and fig jam dusted with black pepper. High flying peppermint soars as a second wave of sweetness (mainly tropical fruits) approaches. A gradual transition to yam saigo pudding dressed with barley, five spices and oak. Mocha, maybe a hint of gunpowder give a drier back palate.

Finish:

The mocha and barley retreats and strawberry jam makes a final comeback. A nice, velvety sherried finish.

Thoughts:

When I got this 3 years ago, I would not have imagined there are so many Blair Athol 1988 floating around the market these days. Around eight or nine casks so far? Maybe there is a project scrapped somewhere and we get to enjoy these now. This is a nice sherry beauty which ticks all the boxes for a sherry head, it also has a nice structure and depth. Sherry, distillate, oak and spice are all at a beautiful balance. I love this, close to 2 stars.

[55.7% | Independent Bottling | 1988 Distilled | 2016 Bottled | Single Cask | Cask Strength | Cask Number: 6845 | 565 Bottles | Matured in a Refill Sherry Butt | *]

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