Whisky : Ballechin (Edradour) 11 Year; Ultimate Whisky Co.

Country/Region : Scotland/Highland

ABV : 60%

Cask : 2nd Fill Sherry Butt

Age : 11 Year (Distilled 6 April 2007, Bottled 4 Sept. 2018)

Nose : Sweet sticky barbecue pork ribs, dark bread, and a heavy dose of soot.  Tobacco, orange, chocolate, and sea salt come through on a wave of smoked caramel and fudgey desserts.  Sweet fruit preserves and cherries pop in with a few drops of water.

Palate : Medium to thick body with bold flavors.  Soot and treacle are followed by chocolate covered berries and cassis jam.  Earthy roasted coffee beans, cocoa nibs, tobacco, and a warm crackling fireplace.  Mineral and metallic notes arrive on the end along with fatty brisket.

Finish :  Lingering cocoa powder, cherry skins, and dryness.

Score : 7

Mental Image : Sticky Black Bean Ribs

Something Similar: Ballechin 16 Year; Signatory (similar spice/sweet treacle, more sweet meets)

Something Similar : Kilkerran 8Y CS (similar chocolate covered berries, meatiness, drier profile)

Notes : A delicious Ballechin that showcased exactly why this distillery expression has a cult following.  These Ultimate Whisky Co. releases have definitely been popular with their attractive pricing and a profile chocked full of bold peaty smoke and sweetness one might typically expect in an Octomore.  Indeed, this particular bottle reminded me quite a bit of Octomore 8.3, though not quite as sweet and with a bit more fruit/roastiness to bring it into balance.

Ballechin is definitely worth a look for anyone who looking to experience heavily peated drams outside the Islay mainstays.  This particular bottle was beautifully balanced and not quite as aggressive as some of the other Ballechin I have tried.  There was definitely a lot to love in this marriage of peat and sherry.  I haven’t tried an ex-bourbon Ballechin, but I am definitely curious to see how the base malt does with less obvious cask influence.