Ballechin 2008 (Signatory)

A Ballechin of a 17 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2008, from cask 245, bottled at 61.1%, one of 282 bottles. 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.

It was worked through worm tubs from heavily peated malt for a smoky, oily spirit, the worm tubs lending weight to the smoke. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the rich, oily character to the fore. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge and ellagitannins a drying grip, the peat smoke mellowing. A gentle maturation suits the oily make, the nutty richness growing with time. The cool Highland air of the glen gives a slow, even maturation in the small Edradour warehouses. Maturation in the dunnage warehouses at Pitlochry is slow and steady.

At a natural 61.1% it is full and oily. Peat smoke, dried fruit and a nutty oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a tarry oak give it depth. The finish runs long, smoky and warming. This is a heavily peated Highland malt from Pitlochry.