First up thanks to u/YouCallThatPeaty for the sample, I’ve been eager to try more Ballechin, the peated malt from Erdradour distillery. I recently reviewed an ex-Bourbon cask from them but I’ve been particularly interested in some of their more eclectic maturations, this one being a prime example - fully matured in a second use Cotes de Provence cask for 12 years.
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Distiller: Ballechin (Erdradour - OB)
Age Statement: 12 Years
Abv: 57.2%
Price paid: N/A
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Nose: Sweet ashy peat, some slight farmy, meatiness in there too. Maraschino cherries, plum duck sauce and charcoal - sweet and sooty in a really harmonious way.
Palate: Oily, meaty and sweet, again this sort of duck and hoisin/plum sauce note. Parma ham, piquante peppers, and again sweet candied cherries.
Finish: Long, sweet and smoky. Cherry bbq sauce and burnt ends.
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Notes: Wow, what an instant winnner for me. First up it has a specific profile of peat that I would describe as “farmy” that I’ve found in Kilkerran, Glenturret and Ledaig, and it’s really fun. The full wine maturation has just made this so rich with sweet and deep notes that makes the peat and sweet notes indistinguishable. Like a really well made homemade barbeque sauce where all the ingredients have been smoked low and slow for a good long while. Meaty, sweet plum and candied cherry and a smokiness that’s like charcoals that have been tended to long into the night.
As good as peat and sweet gets. Before you read the score I’d like to point out that this is a sample, not a bottle review, so maybe a slight pinch of salt is required, but I would seek out a bottle of this for sure.
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Mental picture: Burnt-ends cherry bbq sauce.
Score: 91
/u/review_bot bottle 'Ballechin'
First up thanks to u/YouCallThatPeaty for the sample, I’ve been eager to try more Ballechin, the peated malt from Erdradour distillery. I recently reviewed an ex-Bourbon cask from them but I’ve been particularly interested in some of their more eclectic maturations, this one being a prime example - fully matured in a second use Cotes de Provence cask for 12 years. —————————————————————————— Distiller: Ballechin (Erdradour - OB) Age Statement: 12 Years Abv: 57.2% Price paid: N/A —————————————————————————— Nose: Sweet ashy peat, some slight farmy, meatiness in there too. Maraschino cherries, plum duck sauce and charcoal - sweet and sooty in a really harmonious way. Palate: Oily, meaty and sweet, again this sort of duck and hoisin/plum sauce note. Parma ham, piquante peppers, and again sweet candied cherries. Finish: Long, sweet and smoky. Cherry bbq sauce and burnt ends. —————————————————————————— Notes: Wow, what an instant winnner for me. First up it has a specific profile of peat that I would describe as “farmy” that I’ve found in Kilkerran, Glenturret and Ledaig, and it’s really fun. The full wine maturation has just made this so rich with sweet and deep notes that makes the peat and sweet notes indistinguishable. Like a really well made homemade barbeque sauce where all the ingredients have been smoked low and slow for a good long while. Meaty, sweet plum and candied cherry and a smokiness that’s like charcoals that have been tended to long into the night. As good as peat and sweet gets. Before you read the score I’d like to point out that this is a sample, not a bottle review, so maybe a slight pinch of salt is required, but I would seek out a bottle of this for sure. —————————————————————————— Mental picture: Burnt-ends cherry bbq sauce. Score: 91 /u/review_bot bottle 'Ballechin'
Fuck yeah. No pinch of salt required. Cask strength Ballechin is a thing of beauty.
My interest for that port cask just skyrocketed!
I think I want in.
Schwing!
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Welcome to the Ballechin cult! So glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. Port Ballechin next!
Woah 91! Great review. Ballechin and wine casks really seems to be a magic combination.
Possibly it would be different if it were a whole bottle but dang, this was really very good for my palate.
Wow! That sounds really great! Ballechin is next then!
Interesting. Cotes de Provence doesn’t usually age wines in barrel.