Review by: dustbunna

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Distillery: Balmenach.

Bottler: Cadenhead’s.

Region: Speyside, Scotland.

ABV: 57.9%. Cask strength.

Age: 11 years. Distilled in 2013. Bottled in 2025.

Cask type: 5 years refill + 6 years ex-Cognac cask.

Price: £22 GBP for 200mL.

Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

Bottle open across approx. 3 months, notes taken leisurely across that period. Bold notes taken beneath the shoulder (notes consistent throughout the entire bottle.)

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Nose: orange oil, earth, cranberries, allspice.

Palate: rich, fatty, full-bodied ~ baking spices (cassia/cinnamon, more allspice), a bit hot, seltzer-like effervescence.

Finish: long ~ white pepper, apples.

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Thoughts: This is one of a few examples from Cadenhead’s where the second maturation outlasted the first, which I always find fascinating. As a worm tub distillery and a prized blending ingredient, Balmenach is probably best known for its body and texture—and that’s on full display here. Unfortunately, this release hasn’t got a whole lot of flavor for that body to amplify. I don’t know what exactly the cognac cask contributed; the notes here are incredibly simple compared to the texture, there’s not much going on outside of some spiciness and heat, with an occasional wisp of citrus and orchard fruit. Water didn’t seem to do much to open it up, either. For me, it ticks up a point or two for the excellent mouthfeel.

Final Score: 76.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.