Edradour Ballechin 2008 Cask #905

Ballechin from the distillery, a 12 year old, from 2008, cask 905, at 59%, 274 bottles in all. Ballechin is a peated Highland single malt from Edradour, owned by Signatory Vintage. Ballechin was first distilled in 2003, the malt peated to around fifty parts per million.

The spirit was run through the small stills, the peat smoke carried into a rich, oily make, giving a rich, peated Highland spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the oily make lead. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as the peat smoke softens to a mellow, oily reek. A gentle maturation suits the oily make, the nutty richness growing with time. The peated Ballechin lays heavy smoke over the rich, oily Edradour spirit. Its water comes from the Ben Vrackie springs in the hills above the distillery. The cool Highland air of the glen gives a slow, even maturation in the small Edradour warehouses.

At a natural 59% it is full and oily. Peat, chocolate and a waxy oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. 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.