Bladnoch – Liora (70cl, 52.2%)

Bladnoch Liora is a cask-strength Lowland single malt from Bladnoch, bottled at 52.2% ABV in a 70cl bottle. It is non-chill filtered and natural in colour. Liora is Hebrew for 'the gift of light', and this is the first cask-strength release in the distillery's Twinned Cask Collection, created by Master Distiller Dr Nick Savage. The whisky is matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels together with new American oak casks. The new oak adds sweet wood spice and vanilla to the distillery's delicate fruit. The nose offers fresh cut apples, toasted caramel and floral notes. On the palate come caramelised toffee apples, peppery spice and fresh cut oak, followed by a long finish with a slight warming dryness.