Review by: dustbunna

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Distillery: Balmenach.

Bottler: Cadenhead’s.

Region: Speyside, Scotland.

ABV: 56.5%. Cask strength.

Age: 12 years. Distilled in 2012. Bottled in 2024.

Cask type: 8 years refill + 4 years ex-Amontillado sherry 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: very rich baking spices, orange zest, strawberries, cherries.

Palate: thick body ~ more orange zest and cherries, cinnamon, effervescence.

Finish: long ~ on red fruits, orange juice, a touch of white wine.

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Thoughts: Now we’re talking. I picked this up in Scotland from the Cadenhead’s shop at the same time as the Cognac cask Balmenach I reviewed, and just like that one, this Amontillado re-racked one has excellent body, texture and fizziness. Here though, the notes work much better with the spirit, and both spice and heat are in check. Amontillado sherry makes for a much brighter profile than most Oloroso or PX does, in this case focused around orange and cherry notes. It’s still relatively simple and straightforward, but I find myself enjoying it much more than the Cognac cask; there’s really great saturation of flavor, rich and full throughout.

Final Score: 84.

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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.