Over to Balblair for an 11 year old drawn from a refill ex-bourbon hogshead. Sweet, Fruity & Mellow profile.
Nose: Particularly floral - rosewater and potpourri – but also sweet – redcurrants, guava, jelly babies and pear drops. Straight-forward, but appealing all the same. Reduction moves things towards the earthy side with hay, dried reeds, flax and hessian cloth.
Taste: A spicy arrival of green and chilli pepper alongside poached pears and apple crumble. The mid-palate offers both ginger spicing and a change in texture to a rather chalky, near aspirin like consistency. The addition of water reduces the pep of chilli heat, turning things sweeter with lemon sherbet and prosecco fizz.
Finish: Medium, quite dusty with chalk and with ginger white pepper.
Spice fans will probably enjoy this straight-forward, but prickly Balblair that starts floral, but reveals a devilish underbelly of zingy flavour. Those adverse to well-spiced whiskies might struggle a bit though.