Ballindalloch is the small, artisan distillery within the beautiful Ballindalloch estate which also includes Cragganmore. The Macpherson-Grant family set up production in 2011, with barley grown on their own grounds.
In our glass we have a 2016 vintage bottled from a single bourbon barrel. Always to try spirit from a classic cask, I think. It was selected by DeinWhisky in Germany.
Ballindalloch 8 yo 2016 (60,6%, OB for DeinWhisky.de 2024, first-fill bourbon barrel #225, 258 btl.)
Nose: a bit yeasty and grainy, with a light harsh edge. Aniseed and juniper, along with ales and white bread, as well as green apples. Then some sandy notes, light resin and a hint of lemon peelings. Just a whiff of Ikea pack (cardboard / new wood combo) and a leafy / vegetal note that bothers me somehow.
Mouth: a fairly oily texture, bringing vanilla with a slightly overdose of sugary sweetness. Maybe pineapple, some ripe green melon, gooseberries and truckloads of barley sugars. Then back to bread before it gets greener and leafy, and moves towards fresh herbs and white pepper. A bit rough around the edges.
Finish: medium length, sweet and peppery, with grapes and oak spice.
A fine texture and nice bready notes, but it relies too much on sugary notes. The spirit left a nicer impression from a sherry cask. A bit too early perhaps – at this point this Ballindalloch is not unmissable. Time will tell. Only available from DeinWhisky.de