Thursday 6 June 2024

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

No comments:

Post a Comment