Ballechin 2003 Conquête 18 yo

 

 

 

54°

Distillery : Edradour - Highlands

1st Fill Sherry Butt Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

This Ballechin was released to celebrate the 65th anniversary of La Maison du Whisky. Finished in a first-fill Sherry Butt, it is exactly 18 years and 3 months old. Distributed in France, the Batch consists of 718 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Gritty, smoky peat, gravel, hot ashes, burning coal, fuel oil. A touch of stewed fruits, quinces and medlars, soft caramel, dark chocolate. Slight woodiness. Pencil lead, basalt. Malty on the palate, a little suave, red fruits with a dash of gas oil, light spices. A thick layer of peat in the background. Between liquorice and charcoal. The finish is just the way I like it, long, with a big whiff of smoke and brown coal, earth full of quartz, slate, stuffed fig, cola, pipe tobacco.

 

In Short, 

I didn't smell much Sherry. It's there however, but in the background, it doesn't add much complexity. On the other hand, what a great personality! Beautiful intensity of smoke, with mineral notes of graphite and slate. But also earth and charcoal. A fine bottling. Only the price is exaggerated, which explains why, three years later, La Maison du Whisky is still struggling to get rid of it.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Pallbearer - Endless Place