Edradour Ballechin Bourbon Cask Matured

ReviewsScotch

Sep 16

Written By David Levine

Edradour, peated Highland malt aged in refill bourbon hogsheads.

46%, NAS.

Eye: Pale Straw, thin rim bleeds quick legs.

Nose: Hello Islay - punches you in the face with seaside peat and a little heat. Campfire smoke, charring fat over a wood flame. Smoky as hell but not too much of that medicinal note.

Palate: Spicy. Jalapeños charring on an open flame. Malt is there underneath but smoke and some salt overtake it quickly. There’s some vanilla notes from the bourbon cask but they are pushed to the background. Mouthfeel is oily, not coating.

Finish: The peat becomes overwhelming here.

Overall: Someday, I will like something made on Islay or Islay-style, but today is not this day. I would suggest tasting this just for the cask influence, though, which does make itself known if briefly.

Review: 2.3

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)