Bladnoch – Vinaya (70cl, 46.7%)

Bladnoch Vinaya is a Lowland single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 46.7% in a 70cl bottle. Its name comes from a Sanskrit word meaning 'respect and gratitude', and it was released as the distillery entered its 204th year, after the Lowland distillery was revived in 2015 by David Prior and head distiller Dr Nick Savage. It is matured in first fill ex-Bourbon and first fill ex-Sherry casks, a combination new to Bladnoch. The colour is pale gold. The nose is light, with apple, pear and vanilla. The palate has a faint backdrop of orchard fruits and some richness towards the back, staying tight, crisp and brisk.