A mysterious malt!  Who knows what it could be… though a few hints and whispers give this as a teaspooned Balvenie.  William Grant & Sons famously do not permit their distillery names to be used by independent bottlers and “teaspoon” their casks with a secondary malt so that they can not be traded as single malts, but as blended malts.  However, as this is labeled only as an enigma and not with the trade name “Burnside” that Cadenhead’s otherwise uses for the blended malt from Balvenie, we cannot be entirely sure… just mostly sure. This wee dram came via a Cadenhead’s Enigma tasting pack that I picked up in Campbeltown.

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Whisky: Enigma 27 Year (1997) Blended Malt Whisky

Country/Region: Scotland/Blended Malt

ABV: 51.8%

Cask: Bourbon Hogshead

Age: 27 Years (Distilled 1997, Bottled Aug. 2024)

Notes: Soft peaches and apricots in a fruit cobbler with brown sugar and oatmeal in a buttery top layer. Warm wood and cinnamon appeared with white flowers, black tea, orange zest, and powered sugar donuts— like breakfast in a cozy nook. Medium to light-bodied on the palate, the flavors danced with an effervescence as lemons, pears, and plums bounded from tart to sugary sweetness. White flowers and jasmine tea lingered further in the background with crumbly, buttery pecan scones, a hint of cinnamon, and sun-bleached oak. A touch of spice box appeared at the end, like one containing hold nutmegs or cardamom, with more drying oak. The finish was medium-length and mildly drying with fruit skins, honey, and a dash of baking spice.

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Score: 7 (84)

Mental Image: Sunny Breakfast Nook

Conclusion: Mellow, mild, gentle… all of these could describe this whisky which was generally unassuming, but had a well-tuned intensity to its flavor profile and soft mouthfeel. This was a silky, downy, pillowy soft malt that just lulls you to sleep.  There were no real off notes to the whisky, though it was a touch more drying than I wanted it to be— a small crime all things considered. Overall, launch yourself in a pile of pillows, ideal for relaxing, not substance, but I would not mind another pour.