Ballechin 12 Year Old 2004 The Flemish Tour

Ballechin is the peated whisky from Edradour, distilled after a recipe from the lost Ballechin Distillery that operated near the distillery where it is now produced. Andrew Symington thought it a good idea to recreated this heavily peated Highland malt and started production in 2004. This oloroso sherry cask, that was put to sleep in 2004 with some of the very first spirit, was discovered by several Flemish enthusiast who decided on the spot to bottle part of this cask. Hence The Flemish Tour. Oh, my, the nose is deep sherry in a very smoky jacket! Not an easy combination in my book, but when it works, it is usually great. This is simply bulls eye! Dark and sweet combination of chocolate, raisins, tobacco and caramel against roast beef and garden herbs. And that development of smoke is simply marvelous! It has a great body and offers a welcoming glow in the mouth. Powerful fella! On the palate too, it is a harmonious whole of dark and sweet notes which you can expect from a (first fill?) sherry cask (think dark dried fruit), well seasoned, wrapped in herbal notes from the peat. Umami as well. In the very long and soothing finish, the wood turns your mouth dry, while the smoke fades very slowly. This is the ideal whisky to sip on Christmas Eve. Bottling a Ballechin is something of a dare, to say the least, but this is without a doubt the best I have tried so far. Simply outstanding. 89 EUR in selected Flemish whisky shops. Get it now, I kid you not. Recommended.

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