This Winter Batch Release from 2019 was the final sample in the Blind Tasting Competition. After 11 other samples we had to close it out, and somehow the math didn’t help to get to the correct ABV.

The style of the whisky was a Lowlands one to me. I did go for the wrong distillery, but at least there were some points involved!

Sniff:
A very light and rather floral aroma. Dried meadow flowers like poppies and such. Straw, a bit of cream, barley (oat milk?). Lemon candies too, or maybe it’s more like lime instead of lemon. A slightly funky note of hessian too.

Sip:
Again, I get that weird combination of lime and cream. With a bit of moldy oak, hessian, rotting wood. After a minute or so, there’s some white pepper. Oak shavings and sawdust, barley husks, flour. Slightly buttery too.

Swallow:
The finish continues down the same notes with white pepper, dry barley, flour and that creamy note. It’s not overly long, but there is some stuff that lingers.

Because of the creamy, barley driven style with hints of funky hessian I went for Bladnoch. Which does mean it’s a true Lowlands whisky, but a more modern one as it turns out.

I really enjoyed this one and it makes me want to get stuck in with my bottle of Daftmill, even though that is a different one. Lovely stuff, this!

88/100

Available at Best of Wines for € 350. There is quite a bit of ‘exclusivity’ in the price…

To wrap up the Blind Tasting Competition of 2023, I have to say that I had another lovely time trying to figure out these samples. I still suck at it, but I do enjoy doing it.

Unfortunately my calendar for November was rather full so I only got to try 6 of the 12 samples with my friend JPH. I have to keep in mind to plan for the BTC next year… Of course, not filling in my guess for 3 or 4 samples didn’t help my score in the end, but I would still not have gotten anywhere near the top of the list.

Still, for those who are doubting whether to join this competition next year, please do. It’s awesome and lots of fun!

Keep an eye on this page, come September/October.