Edradour Ballechin 2011 Cask #486 + 317, 320, 324

This official Ballechin, an 8 year old, from 2011, cask 486 + 317, 320, 324, at 46%. Ballechin is a rich, smoky Highland single malt from the tiny Edradour distillery. It was founded in 1825, growing out of an old farmers' cooperative in the glen above Pitlochry.

The spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt in the old farm stillhouse, for a heavy, smoky spirit with an oily depth. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working slowly into the rich malt. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin (vanilla) and lactones (coconut) under a bright, ashy peat smoke. Maturation in the dunnage warehouses at Pitlochry is slow and steady. It was bought in 2002 by Andrew Symington of the independent bottler Signatory Vintage. Its tiny copper stills and worm tubs give a rich, oily, full bodied spirit. A rare Morton refrigerator still cools the wort, one of the last in use in Scotland.

At 46% it is rich, nutty and full. A smoky, oily sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dried fruit and a tarry oak give it depth. A rich finish ends on soft ash and dried fruit. This is a rich, smoky malt from one of Scotland's smallest distilleries.