The Whisky Exchange regularly selects Ballechin for their exclusives. They already picked a 2003 single cask for their 20th anniversary. Not so long ago another cask from the same vintage was released, now 18 years old.
Ballechin 18 yo 2003 (51,3%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2021, refill hogshead #165, 285 btl.)
Nose: warm peat smoke, mixing tobacco leaves with damp forest floors and smoky Domschinken. Rather vegetal and autumnal, with hints of wet canvas. Also burnt vanilla pastry and a bright lemony top note that grows stronger over time. A nice composition.
Mouth: thick, very ashy, but somehow drier than expected. There’s rather overt smoke with earthy notes, more than a hint of bitumen and a drying leathery edge. Some medicinal / herbal notes. Mulched leaves, dark chocolate and hints of candied ginger.
Finish: long, sooty, with hints of espresso and dark chocolate. Always this citrusy touch too.
A robust, mature Ballechin with rich flavours but a remarkable balance at the same time. Definitely less extreme than the 20th anniversary sherry cask – a good selection. Still available from The Whisky Exchange.