Edradour Ballechin 2012 Cask #496 + 547, 548, 549

An official release of Ballechin, an 8 year old, from 2012, cask 496 + 547, 548, 549, at 46%. Ballechin is a heavily peated Highland single malt made at Edradour near Pitlochry. The peated Ballechin lays heavy smoke over the rich, oily Edradour spirit.

The spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt in the old farm stillhouse, building the rich, peated Ballechin style. An Oloroso cask held it, shaping the oily spirit over the years. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the peat smoke fierce over the oily make. Refill oak lets the rich, oily Edradour character lead the way. For years its sign read Scotland's smallest distillery; it now calls itself Scotland's little gem. Long ageing turns the rich make towards dried fruit, fig and a soft spice. It was founded in 1825, growing out of an old farmers' cooperative in the glen above Pitlochry.

At 46% it is smooth and rich. A smoky, oily sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A baked apple and a peppery smoke lift it. A long, smoky finish carries dried fruit and a soft ash. This is a rich, smoky Highland single malt.