Description

Blair Athol 2007 Aged 17 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 100 Proof Exceptional Cask Edition #12 By Signatory Vintage (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 57.1%           Age: 17 Years Old            Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): #12
Date of Distilling: 2007
Date of Bottling: 2025
Matured In: 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts
Un-Chillfiltered

The Whisky

Elevate your collection with a powerhouse of the Highlands: the Blair Athol 17 Year Old 2007 (Signatory Vintage 100 Proof Edition #12). This 700ml expression is a rare “Exceptional Cask” highlight within the acclaimed 100 Proof series. While many entries in this series are younger, high energy malts, Edition #12 presents a more mature, refined side of the “100 Proof” philosophy, having been distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2025.

Presented at the series’ signature 57.1% ABV, this single malt has undergone a full term maturation in a First-Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt. Blair Athol is a distillery famous for its heavy, muscular spirit that typically provides the “backbone” for major blends. In this 17 year old “Exceptional Cask” format, that raw power has been tamed and enriched by nearly two decades of interaction with fresh Spanish oak, resulting in a dram of monumental depth and “old school” character.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Deep, dark, and wonderfully aristocratic. You are greeted by the aroma of polished mahogany and dark treacle, followed by a lush layer of stewed plums and Christmas cake. As it breathes, the first-fill Oloroso influence reveals sophisticated notes of roasted coffee beans, old leather, and a hint of forest floor, creating a nose that feels remarkably dense and autumnal.

Palate: The arrival is thick and “velvet-like,” coating the mouth with sticky toffee and dark chocolate truffle. Mid-palate, the 17 years of age deliver a complex structure of walnuts, dried figs, and cloves. The signature Blair Athol “nutty” character is amplified here, intermingling with a spicy wave of cinnamon and toasted oak that provides a warming, persistent tingle.

Finish: Exceptionally long, drying, and satisfying. The finish lingers with a final flourish of espresso and bitter cocoa, finally tapering off with a clean, warming trail of vinous fruit and seasoned tobacco.

The Distillery

Blair Athol, situated at the gateway to the Highlands in Pitlochry, was founded in 1798. A unique factual detail: It is the “spiritual home” of Bell’s Blended Scotch, and over 90% of its production is diverted into blends to provide them with “shoulders” and structural weight. Because official single malt bottlings are so rare, independent releases like this 100 Proof Edition #12 are highly prized by connoisseurs. It allows the distillery’s heavy, nutty spirit to step out from behind the scenes and prove it can stand as a world-class soloist.

Overall Review

The Blair Athol 17 Year Old 100 Proof Edition #12 is globally reviewed as a “sophisticated heavyweight,” praised for its incredible balance of high proof intensity and long-aged elegance. Critics have lauded its “rich, dark fruit depth,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for fans of the 100 Proof series who want a more mature “Exceptional Cask” experience that defines the dark and spicy Highland style.