Bladnoch, Scotland’s southernmost whisky distillery, has launched The Wave, the second chapter within the Master Distiller’s Collection. This five-part limited-edition series demonstrates the marrying process of whisky casks. Each annual release reveals one of the five whisky-making pillars used by Master Distiller Dr. Nick Savage.
Released today, Wave I: Time & Maturation epitomizes Bladnoch’s method of selecting casks at the peak time in their maturation process. This ensures optimal flavors in the whisky.
The Wave follows the conclusion of The Waterfall Series, which ended with the release of Bladnoch Waterfall 05 2024. Both series are part of Bladnoch’s Master Distiller’s Collection.
To embark on The Wave journey, Dr. Nick Savage selected five 1,500-liter Amontillado sherry tuns. They fill each tun with whiskies from various combinations of cask types. This marries together in the distillery’s 207-year-old bluestone warehouses. Each year, they reveal the cask types, thereby depicting another pillar of Bladnoch whisky-making. Subsequently, the remaining whisky will be decanted into the following year’s tun, thus creating a common thread throughout the series. Finally, the last release will feature components from the entire collection.
Under Nick’s exceptional care, the first Amontillado sherry tun used to craft Wave I: Time & Maturation was filled with a combination of ex-bourbon casks from Bladnoch’s maturing stocks, married with the remaining whisky from Waterfall 05 2024. This unique approach connects both series in an infinite whisky voyage.
Each release in The Wave series will accompany a music track representing the whisky’s unique journey, signifying how each cask takes notes from the other. The piano composition released with Wave I: Time & Maturation reflects how the whiskies develop.
Bladnoch Distillery launches The Wave, a new limited-edition whisky series showcasing the five pillars of whisky making. Available now at bladnoch.
Dr. Nick Savage, Master Distiller at Bladnoch Distillery, said, “We only ever select a cask when the time is right, not because it’s old or has reached a certain age. Our deep understanding of maturation dynamics determines that right ‘time.‘ It’s the moment of peak flavor in our warehouse environment – a climate where nothing is forced.”
“The Wave is a strong example of Bladnoch’s taste-first approach to whisky making and a real demonstration of our bold Galloway spirit. With these single malts, we strive to take people on a journey into whisky making and provide them with a taste experience, aiming to challenge preconceptions and build understanding along the way.”
Bottled at 53.8% ABV, non-chill filtered, and natural in color, Wave I: Time & Maturation opens with floral pine needles and fresh-cut oak on the nose. It imparts notes of sweet oak and toasted coconut on the palate, with a sweet, warm, refreshing finish.
The edition is limited to 1,817 bottles in tribute to the year the distillery was founded and has an RRSP of £150. It is available exclusively in the UK and Australia from bladnoch.com.
The distillery will host Bladnoch Wave Weekend in June 2025 to celebrate the new chapter in The Master Distiller’s Collection. They will first release details to those who purchase Wave I: Time & Maturation.
Dating back to 1817, Bladnoch Distillery is one of the world’s oldest single-malt Scotch whisky producers and is enjoying a bold and powerful revival. The legacy brand has been revived in recent years by David Prior, who purchased Bladnoch Distillery in 2015 and is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery.
