I taste rare Bladnoch Waterfall 05, the culmination of a five-year whisky journey

On a rain-lashed hillock in the Scottish Lowlands, a kilted piper’s melodies accompanied an exclusive tasting of Bladnoch’s Waterfall 05, the fifth and final instalment of the distillery’s Waterfall series of premium single malts. 

As Scotland’s southernmost distillery, Bladnoch has a legacy of crafting Lowland single malts that reflect its unique terroir. This final chapter, limited to just 1,000 bottles, completes an ambitious five-year exploration of cask maturation.

Under the shelter of a tented enclosure, The Luxe Review was invited to celebrate. Before encountering Waterfall 05, we were guided through tastings of three notable expressions from the distillery’s portfolio, each showcasing the skills that have earned Bladnoch its enviable reputation among whisky connoisseurs.

This final chapter, limited to just 1,000 bottles, completes an ambitious five-year exploration of cask maturation…

Bladnoch, established in 1817 and independently owned since 2015, seeks to balance heritage with modern experimentation. This ethos has been central to the Waterfall series, a project conceptualised by Master Distiller Dr. Nick Savage.

Bladnoch Waterfall Whisky Series tasting notes

Released annually since 2020, the Waterfall series showcases how nuanced maturation techniques can transform a single malt’s profile. Each edition began with the same aged Bladnoch single malt, initially matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, then incrementally finished in specially selected barrels to create distinct flavour profiles.

Waterfall Batch 01 (2020), matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, offers lemon cake and dried apricot on the nose and sweet freshness on the palate; Waterfall 02 (2021), matured in Oloroso sherry puncheons, by contrast, is characterised by treacle, dried apricots, and dark chocolate; Waterfall 03 (2022), a product of Port pipe maturation, is notable for a flavoursome mix of dates, nutmeg, and root ginger, with a mouthfeel of dried apricots and warm spice, while Waterfall 04 (2023) has been matured in Hungarian Tokaji dessert wine casks, resulting in notes of grapes and jam, and a sweet and rounded finish.

The final edition, Waterfall 05 (2024), completes the series with a flourish. This batch spent its final maturation in second-fill Oloroso sherry puncheons, resulting in a beguiling balance of sweetness and depth.

Like all its stablemate whiskies, the expression is non-chill filtered and natural colour. It’s bottled at 47.7% ABV and offers dates and sugary dark treacle on the nose, and Sticky toffee pudding, rounded with floral nutmeg, on the palate. The flavours are nothing if not festive. The finish is sweet with hints of cocoa.

Don’t pass up an opportunity to add one to your bar cart.

Vinaya, Samsara and Bladnoch 19-Year-Old whisky tasting notes

My Bladnoch tasting journey was prefaced by a trio of more readily available single malts, starting with Vinaya, an entry-level expression that embodies the floral essence of Lowland whiskies.

The product of first-fill bourbon and sherry casks, Vinaya offers freshly cut grass and boiled sweets on the nose, a Bladnoch signature aroma, with fresh green apples, chocolate, and a hint of pepper on the palate. It’s the perfect Highball cocktail spirit, and can be considered a great core buy.

The second whisky in the line-up, Samsara, is an introduction to Bladnoch’s mastery of blending cask influences. This expression is part of the Twinned Cask collection, wherein two distinct barrel types are combined to craft a harmonious profile: here ex-bourbon and Californian red wine barrels. Bladnoch sources many from the Napa Valley, but not all, hence the slightly vague labelling.

On the nose there’s chocolate and indulgent vanilla fudge, which follow through to the plate, where velvety chocolate is enriched by the influence of red wine. The finish is long and warming, with hints of ripe berries and soft spices.

Bladnoch doesn’t chill-filter any of its whiskies, and this enhances Samsara’s mouthfeel, maintaining its natural oils and creating a luxurious viscosity that lingers on the palate.

My third dram was a true showstopper: the Bladnoch 19 Year Old, matured exclusively in Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks. Bladnoch’s careful use of first-fill and second-fill casks ensures that the intense PX sherry notes complement, rather than overpower, the whisky’s core flavours.

On the nose you’ll scent dried apricots and subtle liquorice, while the flavour profile introduces cinnamon, dried fruits, and a soft nuttiness. The finish is long and complex. Highly recommended.

Limited to just 1,000 individually numbered bottles, Waterfall 05 is a Bladnoch Distillery shop exclusive.

Bladnoch Vinaya is available from The Whisky Exchange, priced at £51. Bladnoch Samsara is available from the same outlet, price £80. A bottle of Bladnoch 19 Year Old sells for £180.