Balmenach 2001 Bottled 2021 Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Masam (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 54.5%           Age: No Age Statement          Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): 24250
Date of Distilling: 2001
Date of Bottling: 2021
Matured In: Fresh Fill Sherry Cask

Masam SRL is the foremost name in independent bottling. The late Silvano was the first bottler of Scotch whisky outside the UK, beginning in 1968. Some of the most famous and collectable whiskies in the world bear his name. After leaving his former whisky company in 2008 Silvano still wanted to exercise his passion, releasing Masam SRL in 2016. Sadly Silvano passed away in February 2017. Today his wife Maryse continues to bottle whiskies from casks that Silvano purchased under the name Masam SRL, a combination of their names. The company will cease when Silvano’s cask stocks are exhausted making this one of the world’s most collectable independent bottlings.  

The Balmenach Distillery was established in 1824 by entrepreneur James McGregor this distillery lies beyond Grantown-on-Spey in the Haughs of Cromdale. This distillery was one of the first to become legitimate after the Licensing Act of 1823. The distillery takes its water supply from the nearby Cromdale Hills and with it produces around 1,800,000 litres of whisky per year which it mainly uses as a contribution to blend Johnnie Walker. With the whisky from this distillery you can expect peat smoke and a very distinctive flavour. Sharpness and a very rare find.

This single malt whisky was distilled in 2009 at the Blair Athol distillery before being placed in a single Re-Charred Ex-Bourbon Hogshead and left to mature for about 10 years. In 2020 it was bottled at 56.2% abv as part of the James Eadie Independent bottling ‘Single Cask’ range. Only 317 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich and creamy with notes of fresh berries and almond.

Palate: Sweet cherries, fruit cake and hints of dark chocolate and spice.

Finish: Not a long finish, continued fruitcake and spice.