Over to one of the lesser known Inver House distilleries (Pulteney and Balblair receive most of the limelight) for a whisky that’s spent 9 years in a 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel. Juicy, Oak & Vanilla profile.
Nose: Fresh and crisp and quite grassy with both green leaves and a touch of mint. Stone fruits and pineapple upside down cake are joined by jelly babies and an underlying floralness from lilies. The addition of water increases the herbalness further – some camomile and fruit teas.
Taste: A velvety arrival that delivers a combination of cakey sponge alongside some zingy citrus peels. Baked good are joined by bakery spices – cloves in particular, but also a touch of nutmeg. A few drops of water adds sticky toffee sauce and some tart under-ripe pears.
Finish: Medium in length and mixing toffee apples with lime juice and earthy spices.
A straight-forward garden-fresh Balmenach which is herbal-led, but with enough sweetness to appeal those of a more saccharine persuasion. A perfectly decent opener for a summer evening.