Bladnoch has unveiled the Dragon Series. The new range celebrates the ‘natural unpredictability’ of whisky making.
Drawing on the dragon curve, a fractional curve in mathematics that exemplifies ‘the timeless battle’ between science and nature, each Scotch in the Bladnoch Dragon Series captures a ‘pivotal moment’ in the whisky-making process.
“The dragon curve demonstrates the science versus nature of predictability, chaos, natural order, and beauty,” says Bladnoch master distiller Dr. Nick Savage. “The building of The Dragon Series whiskies really brought this to life in the sample room. We have attempted to demonstrate the resultant beauty that occurs from the natural unpredictability inherent within our whisky-making process, which we endeavour to control over the decades.
“These five expressions of the Dragon Series have evolved to really capture the essence of each iteration of our process. It will be fascinating to hear everyone’s personal interpretation and appreciation for our whisky making. The Dragon Series also gives us great confidence and excitement upon which to build and bring to life more concepts with Bladnoch in the future.”
The first expression in the series The Field, which is described as the origin story and is about the journey from field to distillery. Bottled at 46.7% ABV and matured in refill Bourbon casks, this whisky features aromas of toasted barley and floral cut grass, while the palate offers apples and shortbread. The finish is sweet and refreshing.
The second whisky is The Spirit, and captures the first stage of distillery production, when the malted barley goes from the field to mashing, fermentation, and distillation. Bottled at 48.3% ABV, it is a blend of first-fill and refill Bourbon casks, and offers notes of pear and fresh cut grass on the nose. The palate finds malted cereal with boiled sweets and a hint of cracked pepper.
The third iteration is The Casks and showcases cask coopering. The whisky captures numerous variables in the brand’s casks, such as oak species, growth environment, and the technical aspects of toasting, charring, and seasoning. Bottled at 49.9% ABV, it was aged in first-fill American oak Bourbon casks and first-fill Spanish oak Sherry casks. On the nose, the spirit features aromas of cinnamon and root ginger, with a background of citrus notes. The palate finds raisins with a toffee popcorn sweetness and a hint of root ginger spice.
The fourth bottling, The Ageing, focuses on maturation. To showcase this focus, Bladnoch choose casks from the darkest and coldest areas in its warehousing. Bottled at 51.1% ABV, this whisky was matured in red wine hogsheads and first-fill Bourbon casks. On the nose, the scent of polished oak and honey appears alongside an earthy undertone. The palate features a sweet oak taste with wild blackberry notes. The finish is sweet and warm with a gentle spiciness.
The final bottling in The Dragon Series is The Decision, which focuses on the craftsmanship involved in whisky making in the sample room. Bottled at 53.1% ABV, it is crafted using a blend of Hungarian Tokaji wine casks and Spanish canasta Sherry casks. On the nose, this iteration is characterized by the scent of crushed red grapes and coffee creams. The palate finds apricots and a hint of nutmeg, which adds depth and complexity. The finish is described as thick and long-lasting, with a lingering sweetness.
The Dragon Series will be available to buy online via Bladnoch’s official website and in its visitor center in Dumfries and Galloway. It will also be available globally. Each is priced at £110 ($135 USD).
Last June, Bladnoch unveiled a 30-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, its oldest expression to date.