This is a dark cola, coffee coloured rich Balmenach. First 7 Years in Bourbon and then from a 1st Fill Pedro Ximenez for the remaining 4 and a half years giving it this dark colour with no colour added. No filtering this nonsense.
Just a cask of whisky that everyone put their hands up and said "THIS ONE THIS ONE THIS ONE!"
We only have 8 available of these and they certainly will not disappoint. This is almost 12 years old and is one of those whiskies that you can remember the smell of it when you close your eyes and think about it. You do not need as much of this to be satisfied so you will probably drink less of this at a time which is great for those who are looking for something like a Glendronach single cask style whisky without spending that kind of money.
Situated a mile inland from the village of Cromdale, Balmenach is one of Speyside’s most traditional distilleries and makes what could be classed as an ‘old-style’ whisky.
The fermentation is long, the stills relatively small and run quickly, and the vapour runs into worm tubs, rather than shell and tube condensers. This helps to produce a slow-maturing new make character which is rich and meaty, ideal for adding weight and grunt to blends, and also to be a good match with ex-Sherry casks.
Inver House has no plans to release this highly distinctive whisky as a single malt. The reason for this is that the make – whose style is unusual these days – is too highly-prized as fillings for blends, both by Inver House and other firms.
This is an old distillery. James MacGregor took out his licence in 1824 on what was a farm after a period of illicit production. According to Robert Bruce Lockhart, this took place soon after MacGregor had received a visit from a local gauger. When asked what a specific farm building contained, he said it was simply a peat shed. “Well, I suggest you take out a licence for it,” replied the gauger.
Bruce Lockhart was related to the MacGregors and his highly recommended book, Scotch, contains many fascinating details about old-style distillation as practised in Cromdale. The distillery eventually passed into the hands of Scotch Malt Distillers, DCL’s malt production arm, which expanded the plant to include a Saladin maltings. It was briefly mothballed between 1993 and 1997, when it was sold to current owner, Inver House, which also produces Caorunn Gin here.
Pedro Ximenez sherry bomb with a beautiful balance. Notes of cola, dates, chocolate syrup with a weapons grade Sherry influence.
