Balmenach 2011
Cask Type: Hogshead
Bottled: 2023
Age: 12
Region: Speyside
No. of bottles: 291
ABV: 54.8%
Release: Autumn Release 2023
Jonny McMillan
“This dram’s pale colour may turn off some looking for a wood driven feast, but I love these quite austere highland distillates with bags of grassy citrus notes – perhaps closer to barley eau de vieu, but I love the purity, and crisp fruit notes.”
Tasting Notes
At first sniff, zesty and grassy notes rise out the glass followed by vibrant green fruits and orange. The palate is wonderfully citrusy, with tangy Granny Smith apples and a pleasing dollop of spirit sulphur. The finish brings grilled lime, barley sweets and a touch of hay. This is a thoroughly pleasing, distillate driven dram.
Distillery
Rob Whitehead says: “This is one of the rarest distilleries to be bottled under our Berry Bros. & Rudd label. Only a tiny number of casks have been selected since the distillery was officially licenced in 1824, only a few months after the very first legal licence to distil in Scotland was granted. Formerly home to a “Saladin Box” maltings, which was discontinued in the late 20th century, one rare and crucial component that survives at Balmenach is the worm tub condensing apparatus, ensuring this oily, meaty spirit remains true to form and hugely useful for the major Scotch blenders.”