1988 Signatory Vintage 30th Anniversary Blair Athol 30 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

From one of Scotland's oldest distilleries (1798), standing at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Blair Athol is famous as the signature malt in the hugely popular Bell's blends. The house style is typically rich, spiced, gingery and nutty. Another gem celebrating Signatory's 30th Anniversary, Serge Valentin summed up this as "...totally impeccable." We have one only from a refill sherry butt with a total outturn of 519 bottles.

Other reviews... Signatory have bottled quite a few stunners in their 30th Anniversary series, some completely crazy if you ask me. Let’s check this little Blair Athol (isn’t Blair Athol Edradour/Signatory’s nearest neighbour?) Colour: deep gold. Nose: of course. Mangos, honeysuckle, lime blossom, Timut pepper, pink pineapples, lightly smoked tea, whiffs of natural rubber, some umami, one small cigar and we’re done. Forgot to mention rose petals and perhaps a wee glass of Fleurie. A dazzling nose. With water: exceptionally full of the most precious tobaccos. There. Mouth (neat): superb. Quite bizarrely, it would make you think of old Bushmills at some point (those mangos that we already found on the nose), then of fresh Sauternes, with some lush apricot jam, maracuja, liquorice, dried apricots, tangerines… What a whirlwind! I’d even dare mention sémillon, but you would say I’m pushing the envelope, and perhaps you would be right. Perhaps the most extravagant Blair Athol I could try. With water: rosehip tea, Corsican citron, pink pepper, grapefruit, passion fruits… Finish: long, fresh, floral and fruity. Very solid structure. Comments: well, in fact, this one reminds me of some of those wonderful old official ‘black labels’. They share the same DNA. Just totally impeccable. 54.7% Alc./Vol.
91 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com