Bladnoch Samsara Scotch Whisky

Bladnoch Samsara Scotch Whisky is a 46.7% ABV Lowland single malt matured in first-fill ex-bourbon and ex-Californian red wine casks — non-chill filtered, natural color — from Scotland's southernmost distillery, in this 750mL bottle. "Samsara" is Sanskrit for rebirth: this was the inaugural release when Bladnoch reopened in 2016 after its 2009 closure, the distillery's second life since its 1817 founding by the McClelland brothers. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 46.7% — non-chill filtered, natural color
• Size: 750mL (live tag; official/retailer listings state 700mL — pending bottle read)
• Casks: First-fill ex-bourbon + first-fill ex-Californian red wine casks, American oak
• Distillery: Bladnoch, near Wigtown, southwest Scotland — founded 1817, revived 2015
• Notes: NAS; "Samsara" = rebirth — first release of the new era

Rebirth on the River Bladnoch

Bladnoch has died and been reborn more than once: founded in 1817, silent from 2009, then revived in 2015 — and Samsara, released around 2016–2017, was the statement that the Lowland distillery was back. The whisky itself bridges worlds: bourbon casks for the classic Lowland lightness, Californian red-wine casks for depth and color, bottled at a sturdy 46.7% without chill filtration. It sits proudly in our Scotch whisky shelves — see also the full Bladnoch range.

Tasting Notes

Fragrant and full-bodied: red berries and dark cherry from the wine casks, vanilla and honey from the bourbon wood, a floral Lowland lift. The palate is oily and generous — baked apple, cinnamon, dark chocolate — with a long, gently spiced finish where the red-wine influence lingers.

How to Enjoy

Neat in a copita or Glencairn; a teaspoon of water opens the berry notes further. The wine-cask depth makes it a fine match for lamb, aged cheddar, or dark chocolate — and an easy introduction for bourbon drinkers crossing into Scotch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Samsara" mean?
Samsara is Sanskrit for "rebirth" — the name marks this as Bladnoch's inaugural release after the distillery's 2015 revival and 2016 reopening.

Is Bladnoch Samsara chill filtered or colored?
Neither — it is non-chill filtered with natural color, bottled at 46.7% ABV.

Where is Bladnoch Distillery?
Near Wigtown in southwest Scotland, on the River Bladnoch — one of Scotland's southernmost distilleries, in the Lowlands.

For the Lowland single malt that announced Bladnoch's return, order Bladnoch Samsara online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — 750mL, ready for pickup or delivery.