Bladnoch Distillery, the oldest privately-owned Scotch Whisky Distillery in the Lowlands, is proud to announce the launch of its new ultra-rare collection of whiskies: The Samhla Collection.

Derived from the Scots Gaelic word meaning 'symbol' or 'likeness,' Samhla is a family of exceptionally rare single malt whiskies that embodies three generations of Bladnoch's history, with vintages from 1966, 1990, and 2008. Like members of a family, each expression in the collection shares a likeness – the quintessential Lowlands characteristic of Bladnoch – but are also totally unique in themselves. Bladnoch Distillery, with a storied history dating back over 200 years, was brought back to life in 2015 by David Prior and his prodigious passion for Scotch Whisky. The Samhla Collection serves as a tribute to the authentic human relationships that have shaped Bladnoch's legacy and shines a light on Lowlands whisky once more.

The culmination of years of conceptualisation, The Samhla Collection comprises of three truly exceptional whiskies: The McClelland distilled in 1966, limited to only 15 bottles; The Prior distilled in 1990, limited to 50 bottles; and The Sage distilled in 2008, limited to 100 bottles.

To preserve and nurture Bladnoch's heritage is a profound honour, it symbolises the preservation of a legacy that has weathered the test of time,” commented David. “The Samhla Collection stands as a tribute to the remarkable journey Bladnoch has undertaken. It is a privilege to ensure its continued existence, and to carry the torch of tradition, innovation, and excellence for generations yet to come.”

Representing the distillery's past and honouring its provenance, the extraordinary 1966 whisky was distilled on July 14th and stands as the oldest release ever from Bladnoch. This whisky tells a story of a different era and allows Bladnoch to reflect on their incredible history. Delicate yet complex, matured in an American Oak cask, it evokes images of the McClelland brothers, John and Thomas, strolling along the distillery's lade as many generations have done since.

The 1990 vintage, representing Bladnoch's present, is drawn from a remarkable Spanish Oak cask, a Pedro Ximénez Butt.
Distilled in the same year David Prior began his entrepreneurial journey, it encapsulates his vision and leadership in restoring the distillery as the heart of the local community.

Looking towards the future, The Samhla Collection showcases the whisky drawn from two perfect American Oak Red Wine Hogsheads, distilled in 2008—the year David Prior’s daughter, Sage, was born.  This expression symbolises Bladnoch’s commitment to sustainable whisky production for generations to come, laying down innovative casks of the highest quality in their warehouses so that one day they can hand over a ‘treasure chest’ of whisky to the next generation

The Samhla Collection epitomises the profound tapestry woven by Bladnoch’s intergenerational exchange of skills, knowledge, and experiences, even if they may never meet. Their aim is to honour their treasured heritage, the sacrifices made to continue the journey whilst also keeping in mind how they best pass this onto future generations. This collection of whiskies personifies the company’s original founders, the present owner, David Prior, and his daughter Sage.

“The Samhla Collection brings to mind two quotes that truly capture its essence,” commented Dr. Nick Savage, Bladnoch’s Master Distiller. “Isaac Newton’s words, ‘If I have seen further, it is only because I stand upon the shoulders of giants,’ encompasses the respect we have for our inheritance and the continuation of the story. And when we consider the future and how we hand down our legacy, the famous quote,

‘The true meaning of life is to plant trees, the shade of which we will never sit,’ perfectly captures the reason we make our whiskies at Bladnoch by protecting and nurturing our whiskies during our custodianship.”

his exceptional collection of Lowlands Single Malts truly are an investment, on this David shared, “In recent years, we have witnessed an unprecedented surge in the appreciation and demand for rare whiskies, with collectors and enthusiasts recognising their inherent value as both liquid assets and cultural artifacts. These extraordinary expressions, carefully crafte dover time, embody the essence of craftsmanship, history, and exclusivity that discerning investors seek.”

For more information and how to purchase directly, head to www.bladnoch.com/thesamhlacollection