Balmenach 2012 A.D. Rattray 11-Year
55.3% ABV - Speyside, Scotland
Nose: Citrus, malting floor, white wine, tropical fruit, pear, nectarine, and sulphuric motor oil.
Taste: Leading with grapes and citrus, there are spices, smoked orchard fruits, and a wood char to fill the palate.
Finish: Medium-short fruits, spices, and shortbread. Dirty mechanic’s rag.
I knew next to nothing about Balmenach when I committed to buying this bottle from a local whisky club. To date, this one included, I have tasted only two different Balmenach releases—both from independent bottling companies.
Balmenach is primarily produced to go in other whisky blends and is uncommon to find as a single malt. I’m not certain about what blends but I did read that it is used in Johnnie Walker. That makes sense given that Diageo, the company that owns the Johnnie Walker label, used to own Balmenach. Now another company owns it (since 1997) so it’s interesting to me that it would still be used in Johnnie Walker. The current owner, Inver House Distillers, did not buy any aged stock but if they managed their casks well, they will soon have 30-year old scotch in the warehouse!
This whisky had me guessing if it was peated and how much. The smoke seemed to come out in time. There are some really funky notes put together for this bottle of Balmenach. It’s not a challenging whisky, and the cask strength doesn’t light up your mouth with heat,... but there is something about it—a je ne sais quois.
Details: Bourbon Hogshead. Distilled 17 February 2012, Bottled 29 May 2023. Cask Number 2. 120 Bottles. Non-chill filtered and natural colour.
Selected and Bottled Exclusively for the Victoria Companions of the Quaich.
Tasted 5 June 2024. (Posted 4 October 2024.)
