This Balmenach has matured in a first-fill Bourbon Barrel and is bottled at cask strength.
58.4% abv.
Appearance: Straw/white wine. Many medium legs form quickly around the circumference of the glass. A thin beaded tide mark circles the glass, as well as numerous teardrops.
Nose: Light on the ABV side. Vanilla, brown sugar and pastry. Stewed orchard fruits, particularly green apples and pears.
There are some light sweet spice notes too, cinnamon and nutmeg.
As the initial sweet fruit notes level out, there’s subtle coffee, dark chocolate (not bitter though) and digestive biscuits. It’s a dessert in a glass, on the nose at least.
Palate: An initial nice ABV hit. Custard with white pepper, chilli even. A real chest warmer.
There’s a strange chemical element that I’m not in favour of. Those of you that remember Stop and Grow will understand what I’m getting at.
The apples are still evident but have morphed into Sour Apple Chewits.
Finish: The pepper and chilli linger for a decent amount of time. The chemical note also haha around, unfortunately.
Overall: A nice friendly nose, full of promise, but the palate wasn’t pleasant. Not one for me.
