Balmenach
SMWS
56.6%
15 Years
This is an independent bottling by SMWS of spirit distilled at Balmenach. Aged for 15 years in a first fill Sauternes Barrique, this release was bottled at cask strength without any coloring or filtering. Let's get to it.
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Sweet and buttery, loaded with lime, honey, slivered almond and wine sweetness. Fresh baked cake, some vanilla bean, white wine. Leaning towards dessert and wine forward, though not in a pungent sherry way. Nice balance with lots of enticing flavor.
Medium mouth feel and excellent control of the ethanol. Sweet cream, lemon, buttered bread, pepper and some wine sweetness. Not as bready as something like a Ben Nevis but its there, along with some lovely cracked pepper. Light caramel, a hint of Sauv Blanc grape sweetness with acidity. Really unique, quite enjoyable.
Short to medium finish, but its earthy, loaded once more with fresh bread, peppery and steadfast. The flavors hang as long as they are able, before wisping away cleanly with a hint of pepper and smoke. Waxy fruits - primarily apple and pear linger with the pepper.
This is really something, and its quite unique. It reminded me of a blend, if you told me you had taken some Ben Nevis, some Springbank, some Teaninich and Clynelish and blended it. Very good release, and a nice uptick in quality from SMWS while my doubts were starting to get the best of me.
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