BALMENACH 2001 48.44 'ROSE PETAL CUPCAKES' - THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY

If you read my previous post, you'll see that I mentioned a red chimney as being kind of a landmark outside the village of Aberlour in Speyside.... but its not the only red chimney in Speyside... The now demolished Imperial Distillery had one too and so does Balmenach Distillery near the village of Cromdale - also on the A95 road.

Balmenach is owned by Inverhouse Distillers who also ownes the Pulteney, Balblair, AnCnoc and Speyburn distilleries. Balmenach is one of those few distilleries that uses wormtubs for cooling their spirit which usually makes for a slightly heavier style whisky which I also found signs of in this Balmenach from the SMWS...

The distillery is not normally open to the public, but I had a chance to tour the place during the 2011 Spirit of Speyside Spring Festival - a chance that also allowed us to see their gin production (Caorunn - and its excellent!) located in a small annex to the still house.

Now, on to the review...

Picture of Balmenach Distillery from the year before I toured it, May 3rd 2010 © The Malt Desk 

Balmenach 2001 48.44 (11.10.2001) 12yo 'Rose Petal Cupcakes' 52,5%, Refill ex-bourbon barrel, 88 bottles, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Colour is pale straw

Similar bottle is shown

Nose:

Marcipan, slight floral notes along with fruits (pears, mainly) honey - a full creamy nose, vanillas, some mint and industrial disinfectant!

Taste:

Nice arrival on honey'ed malt, really a think and oily mouth feel, this time some artificial fruit flavours (like the ones you use for cake) that quickly fades and leaves some alcohol and spices, cooked apple, hint of raspberry and white pepper.

The nose is a bit off putting with the disinfectant coming through there and even though the taste is ok and the flavour components are ok, they don't really come together in this one, I'm afraid - it's lacking balance...

I'd try this again, if I get a chance but for now, it'll have to do with...

80/100!

BALMENACH 1977 DENMARK EXCLUSIVE - GORDON & MACPHAIL

Balmenach is one of those Speyside whiskies that rarely makes a fuss about themselves.

Owned by Inver House Distillers along with Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu and Balblair, the Balmenach distillery is exiting place to visit... especially their wormtubs on the distillery roof is an impressive sight. The Balmenach spirit is a medium heavy one with -some say- a distinct natural sulphury style, much like e.g. Mortlach... a trait that is said to come from the use of wormtubs for cooling the spirit.

Much of the Balmenach malt goes away for blending but some is also bottled as 'The Deerstalker'-malt, but in general the Balmenach is rarely seen as a single malt... and when it is, its usually bottled by an independent bottler.

At the distillery, they also produce the 'Caorunn'-gin made from 11 different botanicals.
Its dry in style and makes for a very refreshing drink, either on its own over a ice or with tonic...

A final note before I review the Balmenach if you want to visit the Balmenach Distillery.
Its not normally open to the public, but if you come at times like around the Spirit of Speyside Spring Festival in the beginning of May each year, you might be able to get in... but do call ahead !

Let's try the whisky:

Balmenach 1977 29.07.1977/03.12.2009 'Flying Pigs' 1st fill Oloroso sherry butt#4493, 270 bottles for Juuls Vin & Spiritus Copenhagen by Gordon & MacPhail, 'Spirit of Scotland'-label

Colour: Dark oloroso

Nose:
Dry dark oloroso as only dark old sherry casks from that era can provide.
Coffee cream liqueur, Dark Cocoa, Amaretto and cake creme sticks, burnt figs with vanilla creme

Taste:
Burnt chocolate cake, hard roasted coffee beans, chocolate orange sticks, huge on marinated dark fruits. Dates and figs flambé ...more orange notes with time, getting more like old rum too.

Fans of dark sherry whisky will go into orbit with this one...

A great old malt from a not so well known Speyside distillery - love this style...

91/100!