Description

South Star Highland (Blair Athol) Aged 10 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 48%           Age: 10 Years Old       Country: Scotland

Date of Distilling: 2011
Date of Bottling: 2021
Matured In: Matured in 10 x First Fill Hogsheads Vatted (This indicates a batch of 10 hogshead casks were combined). Hogsheads are typically ex-bourbon barrels re-coopered to a larger size, and “first-fill” means they haven’t held Scotch whisky before, imparting richer vanilla and oak notes.

South Star Spirits is an independent bottling company founded by four whisky enthusiasts who share a passion for Scotch whisky. Their long-term vision includes building their own distillery, Dál Riata Distillery, in Campbeltown. While that project is underway, they’ve launched this series of independently bottled single malts to introduce themselves to the whisky world. They aim to celebrate Scotland’s diverse whisky regions and offer quality, matured single malts.

Independent bottlers purchase casks of whisky directly from distilleries (or brokers) and then bottle them under their own label. This allows them to release whiskies from distilleries that might not have official single malt bottlings, or to showcase different expressions (e.g., specific cask types or ages) that the distillery might not offer. This is what South Star Spirits is doing with their Highland, Islay, and Speyside releases. The specific distillery is often kept undisclosed, adding an element of mystery, but in this case, it’s widely known to be Blair Athol

Blair Athol Distillery is nestled in the picturesque town of Pitlochry, Perthshire, right at the “gateway to the Scottish Highlands.” Its location is significant, as Highland whiskies are known for their diverse styles. Founded in 1798, it’s one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries. It has a rich history, having seen various owners and closures, notably being rebuilt and reopened in 1949 by Arthur Bell & Sons. While it produces a 12-year-old official bottling, a significant portion of Blair Athol’s production goes into Bell’s Blended Scotch Whisky, making it a cornerstone of one of the UK’s most popular blends. Independent bottlings like this South Star release allow whisky enthusiasts to experience the distillery’s character as a stand-alone single malt more readily. Blair Athol’s spirit is often characterised as mellow, deep-toned, and fruity with a smooth finish, making it a classic Highland example

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Immediately inviting with a pronounced buttery richness, like freshly baked croissants or shortbread. Delicate floral notes (heather, tea rose) intertwine with bright lemon cookies and a drizzle of runny honey.

Palate: The rich butter creme from the nose beautifully unfolds, coating the tongue with a luscious, creamy texture. Sweet canned peaches and candied lemon notes come forward. A surprising but pleasant candied ginger note begins to build, evolving into a lively white pepper crescendo. This spiciness provides a wonderful contrast to the initial sweetness and richness. Velvety and full-bodied, almost coating, indicative of its non-chill filtered nature, allowing the flavours to linger on the palate.

Finish: Long and warming, with the ginger and pepper spice persisting. Hints of bitter chocolate and a subtle toffee note emerge, leaving a very satisfying, slightly chewy, and nutty aftertaste.

Overall Impression: A fascinating and complex Highland single malt. It starts with a delightful bakery-like sweetness and fruit, then takes an unexpected turn into a vibrant spice, making it a dynamic and memorable dram. Adding a touch of water can soften the spice and bring out more of the creamy fruit notes. Non-chill filtered (this helps retain more natural fats and esters for a richer mouthfeel and flavour).