Bladnoch has unveiled a new ultra-rare, limited-edition whisky collection: The Samhla Collection. Derived from the Scots Gaelic word meaning symbol or likeness, the range represents three generations of the distillery’s history with vintages from 1966, 1990, and 2008.
The Bladnoch Samhla Collection comes in very limited quantities: The McClelland, distilled in 1966, is limited to just 15 bottles, The Prior, distilled in 1990, is limited to 50 bottles, while The Sage, distilled in 2008, is limited to 100 bottles.
“To preserve and nurture Bladnoch’s heritage is a profound honor, it symbolizes the preservation of a legacy that has weathered the test of time,” said David Prior, owner of Bladnoch. “The Samhla Collection stands as a tribute to the remarkable journey Bladnoch has undertaken. It is a privilege to ensure its continued existence, and to carry the torch of tradition, innovation, and excellence for generations yet to come.”
Distilled on July 14th, 1966, The McClelland is the oldest ever release from Bladnoch and tells a story of a different era. The whisky matured in an American Oak cask and recalls an image of the McClelland brothers, John and Thomas, walking along the lade at the distillery. On the nose, it is gentle and delicate with aromas of fresh green apples along with herbal fresh cut grass and forest aromas. The palate finds orange peel with chocolate and hints of mint leaves and polished oak. The finish is sweet with subtle white pepper leading to a long, dry mouthfeel.
The Prior hails from a Pedro Ximénez butt. Distilled in 1990, the same year David Prior began his entrepreneurial journey, which led him to becoming the owner of the Scotch distillery in 2015. The nose is rich with liquorice sticks, dried apricots. and dark dates. The palate delivers more dark dates with almonds and subtle cloves. The finish is long and viscous with a slight pepperiness.
The Sage represents the distillery’s future and was drawn from two American Oak Red Wine Hogsheads and distilled in 2008, the year David Prior’s daughter, Sage, was born. On the nose, the whiskey features floral herbs with chocolate coated dark cherries, hints of cinnamon sticks and honey. The palate delivers black cherries, with strawberry jam and cracked black pepper. The finish is fruity with black pepper warmth.
“The Samhla Collection brings to mind two quotes that truly capture its essence,” said Dr. Nick Savage, Bladnoch’s master distiller. “Isaac Newton’s words, ‘If I have seen further, it is only because I stand upon the shoulders of giants,’ encompasses the respect we have for our inheritance and the continuation of the story. And when we consider the future and how we hand down our legacy, the famous quote, ‘The true meaning of life is to plant trees, the shade of which we will never sit,’ perfectly captures the reason we make our whiskies at Bladnoch by protecting and nurturing our whiskies during our custodianship.”
For more information, head over to Bladnoch’s official website.
In June, Bladnoch unveiled the Dragon Series, a new range celebrating the ‘natural unpredictability’ of whisky making.