Ballechin is the heavily peated spirit from Edradour distillery (usually around 50 ppm phenols). This well-aged expression comes from a series of Kentucky bourbon barrels, supposedly used for Old Grand Dad. It hit the market in spring 2024.
Ballechin 20 yo 2004 (52,8%, OB 2024, first fill bourbon barrels, 2016 btl.)
Nose: sooty peat, although not as in-your-face as expected. Immediately countered by a big sweetness. Big vanilla, with light caramel and underlying layers of quinces, lemons and apples. Then a nice earthiness, a little lovage and burnt Mediterranean herbs. Subtle metallic notes, with whiffs of menthol and camphor. A nice all-rounder.
Mouth: the smoke is bigger now, reminding me of Port Charlotte’s sooty and lightly farmy style. Dry leafy notes, more burnt herbs, a little ink and hints of black tea. Then caramel sweetness with a salty edge, some lemon oil and vanilla. Black peppercorns and light tarry notes as well, with some fresh oak in the distance.
Finish: very long, grassier and spicier. Smoky notes, hints of grapefruits and rapeseed oil.
While sherry influenced Ballechin (sometimes quite extreme) seems to be more common, this bourbon version is really good as well. Overall a nice combination of robust peat, coupled to a well-dosed sweetness. Still available from The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt for instance.