Ballechin 12 Year Old 2005 Signatory for The Nectar

Ballechin is the peated version (50ppm) of Edradour and gets its name from the former Ballechin Distillery (1810-1927) that used to be just a stone’s throw away from current Edradour. This cask was selected by Belgian importer The Nectar. A Bordeaux wine cask, by the way. I am curious!

Lovely, sweet nose on all kinds of red fruit ranging from raspberry to strawberry with some herbal notes in the middle like autumn leaves. A touch of cinnamon makes it somewhat candy-like.

It is silky soft and round, fruity sweet (again quite a bit of red fruit, but now also some tangerines) and a touch spicy. Think ginger, cinnamon and a touch of cloves. Soft tannins make it mildly drying, but this is far from oaky. A mild smokiness (which I hardly detected on the nose) spreads in your mouth. This is the good stuff.

In the finish, the wine finally truly shows itself, but it works like a charm.

The nose was very good, the palate outstanding, but the trump card was played in the finish! This is my 10th Ballechin so far and I truly love this style. I was a bit reluctant in my expectations as I feel wine finishes – or maturations – are often tricky. But this spirit counter footed the cask beautifully. Recommended.

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