Balmenach 1979 (Perfect Dram)

We know Balmenach 1979 through the recent bottling by Maltbarn. Here’s another one, a joint bottling by The Whisky Agency together with The Nectar.

Balmenach 33 yo 1979 (52,8%, The Whisky Agency ‘Perfect Dram’ 2012, bourbon hogshead, 202 btl.)

Nose: bright fruits with an acid edge: lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, apple, kiwi, unripe gooseberries. Lemon sorbet. Then some dusty / leafy notes: heather, green tea, cardamom. Floral notes (both fresh and dried). A little vanilla after a while.

Mouth: sweeter than expected. Banana and oranges with honey. Quickly growing spicier and oakier with a hot mouthfeel. Ginger, white pepper, liquorice. Goes back to fruity notes but it looses the sweetness (grapefruit and lemon balm). A little rounder with a few drops of water.

Finish: medium length, with a slightly bitter orange taste, some wax and glue.

Another enjoyable Balmenach with some sweet, sour, spicy and bitter elements. A nice bourbonny oldie. Around € 180.

Score: 88/100