Drammed this young Balmenach (9yo) as part of a local (socially-distanced) whisky festival. There was some wasted potential here. There were some spectacular drams (including from unexpected sources) I have had in this same festival, so it makes the mediocrity more glaring.

Distillery: Balmenach

Region: Speyside

Price: ~14USD/50ml

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon first fill

ABV: 57.3%

Chill-filtered: No

Color: 0.5, yellow gold (natural colour).

Rested for ~10 minutes, before drunk neat in a glencairn.

Nose: Banana, lime and osmanthus.

Palate: Texturally the lighter side, here it shows the young age. Saltiness, then vanilla, grapefruit and osmanthus again.

Finish: Here the flowers come in. Rose bud. Bougainvillea. Sweet lime cordial.

Conclusion: Too salty for the profile (SMWS notes say balsamic glaze), weak despite the strength. Aromas just fade in and out. Would be much better if not so salty. Very discordant. Pity, because some fun stuff like the osmanthus, grapefruit and lime is there, awash with a saltiness that does not belong.

If it were named by the SMWS: Obviously not applicable.

Score: 78

Scotch Review #25, Whiskey Network Review #27

H.Y.