Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-bourbon and ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Ballindalloch Distillery LLP
Average price: € 125.00
Official website: www.ballindallochdistillery.com
The idea of founding a distillery on the Ballindalloch estate in Speyside was conceived in 2011, when the owners Clare and Oliver Russell decided to renovate an old, dilapidated farm on their land. The renovations were completed in 2014, marking the beginning of distillation from barley grown in their fields, which, as can be inferred, was done in limited quantities and with a completely artisanal approach.
Unlike many new distilleries, they choose to wait a few years before releasing their inaugural bottling, which saw the light in 2023, a seven-year single cask ex-Sherry Oloroso. Since then, there have been only a few releases, often just for the domestic market, including the Seven Springs Collection dedicated to the springs that support the distillery.
Declaration of vintage rather than age on the label, today tasting a sample from the 3,600 bottles released the first half of 2024 with distillate from 2015, resulting from the union of first-fill casks between ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry in a (indicative) proportion of 80/20.
Tasting Notes
The nose tells various things, which, even in its youth appears to be quite multifaceted. The sweetness of vanilla, honey, marzipan, and scones embraces the fruity aspects of peach, apple, apricot, and numerous citrus fruits (with lime being prominent), along with a hint of white currant, balanced by lively mineral (chalk, wet stone) and vegetal (hay) notes Spicy undertones of black pepper, ginger, and nutmeg emerge, with a base of anise and licorice root. In length, a light waxy note appears. Captivating.
On the palate, it is sharp, the alcoholic component is somewhat exuberant, with significant hints of pepper and ginger. In short, it opens up to what was perceived on the nose, leaning more towards citrus aspects and bitter notes, with the vegetal notes transitioning to celery and fennel, while the fruit turns tart (apple, banana, pineapple) and citrusy (including grapefruit). The mineral aspect is pronounced, while the sweet side emerges later, bringing vanilla, trifle, and a hint of cocoa to the surface. Nuts (almond, walnuts), licorice, and tobacco round things off.
Finale quite long, spicy, where the vegetal, sweet, and mineral notes chase each other on the palate, with an accentuated salivation that brings back to the glass.
Review: Very drinkable despite its angularity, able to play on multiple levels without ever becoming tiring, with a breadth of aromas that would make it seem older than it is. They make several cask strength editions that, considering what happened with this one, I can’t say how much they can benefit the distillate.
Vote: 86/100