Liquid Treasures already had a young Balmenach 2000 back in 2011 and now they’ve bottled a Balmenach 2001 from a sherry hogshead.
Balmenach 14 yo 2001
(51,9%, Liquid Treasures 2015, refill sherry hogshead, 245 btl.)
Balmenach 14 yo 2001Nose: a light, youngish nose, full of banana yoghurt, creamy peach and white raisin juice. A lot of malty sweetness. Hints of mint and vanilla. A little paraffin as well. Sherry? Where?
Mouth: very creamy texture, less straightforward, and a bit funky in its combination of flavours. I get honey, slightly artificial banana, strawberry and apple candy and a grassy / hoppy flavour. Firm peppery notes, toffee, paraffin again… And linseed oil. Sweet, bitter, peppery – all-in-one.
Finish: quite long and malty, with grapefruit and liquorice.
A bit of a weirdo, but in an interesting way. It’s an uncommon dram, with some unique flavours, even though it doesn’t feel entirely integrated. Be sure to try it yourself, you will either love it or hate it. Around € 85.
Score: 80/100