The first of three single malts from Bladnoch released in early 2017 to celebrate the reopening of this Lowland distillery. Although it doesn't carry an age statement, it's said to be made up of whiskies that are a minimum or 8 years old and well as older, rarer whiskies. First fill Californian red wine and bourbon casks were used for maturation, whilst 'Samsara' appropriately enough means 'rebirth'.
Quite concentrated, fruit compote, with plums, vanilla and orange blossom.
A sweet winey start, then drying slightly before more plums and vanilla flavours, some citrus and a malty core. Nicely structured.
Mellow and winey with a spicy, lingering tail.
Not sure I completely agree with the MoM notes but tasting is a personal thing. I get more confectionary and notes of exotic fruit, particularly banana. I got a bottle of this, from MoM, a month or so ago and I reckon this is just about nailed on value for money. Sometimes you pay a small fortune for something that seems to have been matured in casks that previously contained fish, sulphur and urine and then you pay almost nothing for something that you find glorious! This is priced just right. Get a bottle, so you have a great fulcrum, against which you have an eternal measure for what is good value for money and what isn't. ...and if you find you disagree, at least you have a thoroughly nice single malt. ...or not; tasting is a personal thing. See what I did, there?
