Alexander Murray Bladnoch Distillery 25 Year 1990 Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml

This is an independent bottling of Bladnoch Distillery single malt scotch by Alexander Murray and Co, the California based independent bottler founded in 2004 by Scotsman Steve Lipp and named in honor of his great uncle Alexander Murray, the man who gave him his first taste of whisky. Bladnoch is one of the most historic and rarest distilleries in all of Scotland, established in 1817 as a Farmhouse Distillery on the banks of the River Bladnoch in Wigtownshire, and stands as the most southerly distillery in the entire country. For most of its modern history Bladnoch operated as a tiny producer using just a single pair of stills, and its spirit was largely directed into blends, leaving the single malt notoriously difficult to find. This expression was distilled in 1990, then matured for 25 full years in refill ex bourbon casks before being vatted and bottled by Alexander Murray. With Bladnoch's pre closure stocks now severely depleted and the distillery under new Australian ownership focusing on younger production, aged 25 year independent bottlings like this one are increasingly scarce and represent some of the only ways to taste fully matured Bladnoch single malt at this age. Awarded Silver at the 2016 New York Wine and Spirits Competition.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Light golden amber, characteristic of long maturation in refill bourbon casks.

Nose: Waxy, syrupy, and full of tropical fruit, with ripe mango, papaya, guava, kiwi, and melon, layered with sweet floral notes, delicate fruit jam, apricots, malted barley, vanilla icing sugar, and clotted cream.

Palate: Smooth and sweet with hints of citrus, banana, toasted grain, strawberry pastries, mint, and brewed dark tea. Bright and fruity with waxy oak, maple sugar, almost over ripe mango, Mandarin orange, white grapes, and gentle spice as it opens up.

Finish: Long and lingering, smooth with delicate spice, soft vanilla, and a quietly fading sweetness.

FAQ

What is an independent bottler? Independent bottlers like Alexander Murray purchase casks directly from working distilleries, then mature, vat, and bottle the whisky under their own label. They are not the original distiller, but they release single malts that the original distillery may never bottle themselves, often at unique ages, cask types, or strengths. This is a major source of rare single malts that would otherwise never reach market.

Why is Bladnoch so rare? Bladnoch is the southernmost distillery in Scotland and one of only a handful of operating Lowland distilleries. It is a tiny producer using just one pair of stills, and for much of its modern history its spirit was directed into blends rather than bottled as single malt. The distillery has been closed and reopened multiple times under different ownership, and pre closure stocks from the 1990 vintage are now severely depleted. The current Australian ownership has reinvigorated production but is focused on younger releases, making aged 1990 stock from independent bottlers like this one increasingly hard to find.

What is the Lowland style? Traditionally Lowland single malts are described as the lightest and most delicate of the Scotch regions, with grassy, floral, citrus, and gentle malt character rather than the peat smoke of Islay or the rich sherry of Speyside. Bladnoch is one of the original Lowland distilleries that produces this classic light and delicate spirit. At 25 years, this independent bottling shows how that delicate character develops over a quarter century of patient cask aging.

Where can I buy Alexander Murray Bladnoch 25 Year 1990 online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide. As pre closure 1990 vintage Bladnoch stocks become increasingly scarce, once this bottle is gone it cannot be replenished.