Whisky Review/Tasting: Black Bottle

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Black Bottle is a blended Scotch whisky that incorporates whiskies from all over Scotland, including the Highlands, Speyside, Islay, and Lowlands.
Type: It is a blend, meaning it contains both malt and grain whiskies.
Distillation & Maturation: Specific details about distillation and maturation processes were not provided, but it is noted that the blend includes whiskies from various Scottish regions and distilleries.
Age Statement: There was a mention of a range increase to a whisky with an age of 10 years, but the specific age statement of the reviewed bottle is not provided.
Color & Clarity: The whisky is artificially colored.
Bottle Design: The current bottle design is slim and completely black, with a metal screw cap. This design is a departure from the original bulgy, green bottle.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky presents a balance between fruitiness, smokiness, oakiness, and spiciness, with a noted bitterness that fades into more harmony.
Unique Characteristics: The smokiness is faint, estimated at 5 to 10 ppm, which is significantly less than previous iterations. The whisky is described as fruity, fresh, with a little oakiness, and very faint peat. It is also noted to be oily and spicy, with a lot of grain influence.
Comparison: The previous version of Black Bottle was described as extremely smoky, with contributions from seven Islay distilleries. The current version has less smokiness, likely with a significant contribution from Bunnahabhain, as it belongs to the same company.

Historical Anecdote: Black Bottle was introduced in 1879 by three brothers with a unique recipe. The original bottles were black, imported from Germany, which was a unique selling proposition until World War I disrupted supplies.
Company Ownership: The brand and its distilleries (Bunnahabhain, Deanston, and Tobermory/Ledaig) were sold to the South African company Distell in 2014/2015 for 160 million GBP.

Geographical Diversity: The blend represents the whole of Scotland by including whiskies from its major whisky-producing regions, showcasing the diversity of Scottish whisky.
Historical Significance: The brand's history, including the original black bottle and the impact of World War I on its packaging, adds to its cultural significance.

"The former black bottle had been extremely smoky...and today it's a yeah there is only a few of Islay distilleries in it."
"It's fruity, it's fresh, there's a little oakiness in the back and very very faint peat."
"Really a lot [of spiciness]. And now the bitterness kicks in. Weird."

Black Bottle is a blended Scotch whisky with a diverse flavor profile, including fruitiness, faint smokiness, oakiness, and spiciness.
The whisky has evolved from its original, extremely smoky character to a more balanced and less smoky blend.
The brand has a rich history, including a unique black bottle design and changes in ownership.
The current version of Black Bottle is recommended as being in the "better third" of blends, offering a good value for its price.

For Whisky Enthusiasts: Those interested in the history and evolution of whisky brands might find Black Bottle's story particularly engaging.
For Casual Drinkers: Its affordable price and balanced flavor profile make it a good entry-level option for those new to Scotch whisky.
For Smoky Whisky Lovers: While the current iteration is less smoky, fans of subtle smokiness might appreciate its faint peaty notes.
For Blend Aficionados: Individuals who appreciate the complexity and variety of blended Scotch whiskies might enjoy exploring Black Bottle's diverse flavor profile.