52,7°
Distillery : Balmenach - Speyside
Ex-Bourbon Hogshead and 2d Fill Toasted American Oak Barrique Finish
Independent Bottling
By Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Limited Edition
Single Cask
Bottled in 2024
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Totally Unpeated
Founded in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has now bottled nearly 15,000 casks in almost 43 years. Suffice to say, it's easy to get a little lost in all this variety and all these codes. Here we have a 15-year-old Balmenach which, after 12 years in a simple Bourbon Hogshead, was finished in a Toasted American Oak Barrique. As long as it's not mezcal or rum, I'm fine with it. 241 bottles have been produced, and at the time of writing, very few are still available.
Let's Taste It :
Runny caramel and dates, varnished wood rubbed with Muscat grapes, woodland undergrowth, dry leaves, forest berries, roasted hazelnuts and peanuts, orange zest, whipped cream, a few candied yellow plums, possibly pineapple. On the palate, vanilla cream, coconut powder, intense woody notes, apricot kernel, smoked wheat galette, Basque cake with blueberry jam, very discreet spices. Long and fairly powerful finish, cola, milk chocolate, pieces of bark, resin, acacia honey. Vanilla pod, eucalyptus leaf.
In Short,
I found it very woody, even forest-like, but it's still a success. There is no bitterness, or it is almost imperceptible, the fruits are varied, and there is a good balance. I'm not very familiar with this distillery, so I don't know if this is typical of its profile, but in any case, it's very good. The release price was OK, but the price at which it's available today is a little too high for my taste.
Score : 89
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Wild Horses - When I Was Younger
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