The first of three new releases from Bladnoch in early 2017 to celebrate the reopening of this Lowland distillery. Although it doesn't carry an age statement, it's said to be made up of whiskies that are a minimum or 8 years old and well as older, rarer whiskies. First fill Californian red wine and bourbon casks were used for maturation, whilst 'Samsara' appropriately enough means 'rebirth'.

ABV: 46.7%

VOL: 70cl

Nose: Quite concentrated, fruit compote, with plums, vanilla and orange blossom.

Palate: A sweet winey start, then drying slightly before more plums and vanilla flavours, some citrus and a malty core. Nicely structured.

Finish: Mellow and winey with a spicy, lingering tail.