Ballechin 2010 (Signatory) (46%)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 15 year old Ballechin, distilled in 2010, from cask 276, 281, 282, bottled at 46%. Ballechin is a heavily peated Highland single malt made at Edradour near Pitlochry. The distillery sits in a pocket glen at Balnauld, in the hills above Pitlochry in Perthshire.

Worked through worm tubs from heavily peated malt for a smoky, oily spirit, the worm tubs lending weight to the smoke. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending vanilla and a little coconut. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, dried fruit and chocolate rising under the oily smoke. Refill oak lets the rich, oily Edradour character lead the way. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. The tiny stills and worm tubs give an oily spirit that takes the cask well. A gentle maturation suits the oily make, the nutty richness growing with time.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. A rich smoke over dried fruit and chocolate, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is thick and oily, the smoke on a creamy body. The finish is long, smoky and gently spiced. This is a heavily peated Highland malt from Pitlochry.