Master of Malt Exclusive: A Single Cask, Peated Scotch Whisky from the Balblair Distillery

Master of Malt has released an Exclusive Single Cask, Peated Whisky from the Balblair Distillery in Scotland: Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466.

Balbair Whisky Distillery in the Highland region of Scotland has produced a limited-edition bottling of a peated whisky. Typical of the regional style, this Highland whisky provides a soft sweetness balanced with a smooth and subtle smokiness.

This Single Cask Scotch Whisky has acquired its smoky flavour through non-traditional methods. Instead of producing a spirit made from peated barley, Balblair distillers chose to mature this special bottling in casks that had previously held an Islay Whisky.
Thus, the warm, peaty flavours have permeated the classic honeyed sweetness to produce a single malt which is unlike any other.

Distilled in 1990, this ultra-rare Single Cask Whisky was aged in Cask 1466, an American Oak Barrel which previously held an Islay Single Malt Whisky.

Tasting Notes from MOM: Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 – 50.40% – £124.95

Nose: What the deuce? Some kind of trick, surely. This smells overwhelmingly, potently, of delicious, freshly squeezed apple juice. Copella Apple Juice to be precise. One of the most sweet, and fruity whiskies we’ve come across in a long time. The Bourbon cask has clearly had some influence here. Given time in the glass, there is a development of very subtle peat, which complements without ever being intrusive. A touch of cinnamon and brown sugar to go with the apple. Lovely Stuff.

Palate: Following an initial hit of mid-80’s tuck-shop sweetness (Refreshers of both sorts – chewy and chalky), the peat is immediately apparent here. Becomes much more savoury than the nose and initial palate would suggest. Initial short-crust pastry notes (buttery, too) are fleeting, giving way to caramelised bananas, and a touch of Nasturtium leaf. Becomes more grown-up than the nose hinted. The best of both worlds?

Finish: Herbaceous. Mint, and parsley give way to the seam of peat, which given time becomes more menthol than phenol. Hints (but only hints) of bitumen and ash meld into one delicious, fruity, gristy, meaty ‘ball’.

Overall: This whisky has got that rare ‘x-factor’ which can only be described as ‘huge’, and very ‘spherical’. It starts sweet as you like on the nose, but the palate and finish progress beyond the simplicity that can sometimes be implicit with that term, and meld together into a seamless experience of mouth-filling flavour. Nothing is missing here, everything is balanced. Great Whisky.