“War (What Is It Good For)”
Whisky Review # 991
Country: Scotland 🏴
Region: Unknown
Brand: Atholl Highlander
Produced, Matured and Bottled in Scotland for: The Atholl Highlanders
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 Years
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 40%
Maturation: Unknown. Most likely Refill Ex-Bourbon casks
Maturation: Unknown. Most likely Refill Ex-Bourbon casks
Chill Filtration: Yes
Price: Around US$ 20 in Auctions (June 2023)
Price/Quality Ratio: 😐 Okay at around US$ 20
Buying Advice: 👎 Nothing really enjoyable here
Colour: Chardonnay (Probably Artificially Coloured)
Price/Quality Ratio: 😐 Okay at around US$ 20
Buying Advice: 👎 Nothing really enjoyable here
Colour: Chardonnay (Probably Artificially Coloured)
Nose:
A rather unexpressive Nose that reminds me of an average Blended Scotch Whisky that matured in 3rd and/or 4th Refill casks. Medium Sweet with some Sour notes. Lots of Grass and Straw with a few Floral tones. The Alcohol is noticeable.
Main Aromas:
Grain, Buttered Toast, Yeast, Old Bread, Grass and Straw, Nut Shells, Lemon Zest, Floral Soap & some Green Herbs.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Malted Barley, Honey, Vanilla, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Apples, Pears, Apricot-filled Pastry, Pepper, Cinnamon and Mint.
Grain, Buttered Toast, Yeast, Old Bread, Grass and Straw, Nut Shells, Lemon Zest, Floral Soap & some Green Herbs.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Malted Barley, Honey, Vanilla, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Apples, Pears, Apricot-filled Pastry, Pepper, Cinnamon and Mint.
Thin. A mix of Sugary Sweet, Bitter and Sour notes. It's rather Hot as well. The Atholl Highlanders deserve more than this. And so do I.
Main Flavours:
Grains, Sugar, Caramel, Grass & Straw, Nut Shells, Caffe Latte, Refill Casks, Pepper, Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
Supportive Flavour Accents:
Honey, Barley, Toffee, Vanilla, Apricot-filled Pastry, Apple, Pear, Lemon and Orange Zest, Plastic and Grapefruit.
Honey, Barley, Toffee, Vanilla, Apricot-filled Pastry, Apple, Pear, Lemon and Orange Zest, Plastic and Grapefruit.
On the Thin side. Medium-Long & rather Hot. Bitter-Sweet with a few Sour notes. I find Grain, Toffee, Sugar, Honey, Straw, Green Apple, Unripe Pear, Grass and Straw, Caffe Latte, Lemon and Orange Zest, Grapefruit, Refill-Casks, Nut Shells, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Mint. A slight PVC Off-Note.
Drinking Advice:
I added a bit of Water and the Barley starts to peep through. It also becomes less Sharp. A few drops can't hurt here.
I added a bit of Water and the Barley starts to peep through. It also becomes less Sharp. A few drops can't hurt here.
Rating: 6 (******)
Nose: 6 - Taste: 6.5 - Finish: 5.5
*** Important Note with respect to Rating.
If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.
Drinking Experience Neat: Okay at best
Conclusion:
The Blair Castle is located in Pitlochry (Pertshire) in the Southern Highlands. It dates from 1269 and has been the home of the Earls & Dukes of Atholl for over 700 years. Queen Victoria stayed at the castle in 1844 and presented the Duke of Atholl with colours for his men, the Atholl Highlanders. They are still in existence today and form the only private army in Europe.
The Blair Castle is located in Pitlochry (Pertshire) in the Southern Highlands. It dates from 1269 and has been the home of the Earls & Dukes of Atholl for over 700 years. Queen Victoria stayed at the castle in 1844 and presented the Duke of Atholl with colours for his men, the Atholl Highlanders. They are still in existence today and form the only private army in Europe.
I have no idea where this Single Malt was distilled. You would expect it to be Blair Atholl situated around the corner. But somehow I don't think so as the little box only mentions "Distilled in Scotland". Probably a Highland distillery though. I also don't know if the Atholl Highlanders are good soldiers. But in any case they deserve a better tribute than this 10 year old Single Malt. As the officer in charge of the Atholl Highlanders would command: "Dismissed".
Cheers!
Jan van den Ende June 13, 2023
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