Ballechin Aged 12 Years Cask hand picked by The Whisky Exchange

Style: Fruity and Smoky

Rating: ☆ [Recommended]

Nose:

Sumptuous hay smoke, malt syrup with a good dose of shell fish on the nose. Sea salt rubbing on kombu, fish sauce and minerals, the peat element is surprisingly maritime-driven, I don’t think the distillery is anywhere near the sea, no? Down a layer reveal sugary tropical fruits. Melons and dried mangoes taking the high ground with more malt to round aroma up. Oatmeal base, finished with a sichimi and peppermint spike.

Palate:

Similar to what the nose has suggested, but the maritime has subsided significantly. Golden malt, sweet apricots floating on smoky water. Peach skin, apple jacks mixed with a handful of cereal. Vanilla, coconut shreds taking a hint of smoked ham. Orange citrus shining from the core, while pepper spice rises up and sustain a good structure.

Finish:

Dried apricots, milk chocolate, malt and liquorice roots gently melding together, a comfortable finish.

Thoughts:

I think this is my first review on Ballechin. For those who is not familiar with Ballechin, it is the heavily peated variant of Edradour. Personally, I think Ballechin is quite underrated. If you look close enough, there are quite a few hidden gems like this one – Bright, smoky, while fruits and the malt seamlessly interchanging throughout the expression. Not complicated but rather a charming dram. Close to 2 stars.

[54.5% | Original Bottling | Single Cask | Cask Strength | 2004 Distilled | 2017 Bottled | Cask Number: 330 | 251 Bottles | Non Coloured | Non Chill Filtered | *+]

Originally published on Instagram