Balmenach 24 Year Old 1988 Signatory Vintage

The Cask Strength Collection by Signatory has known releases from almost every single distillery. Including this Balmenach, a rather obscure distillery in Speyside. I will put this hogshead 2794 head-to-head with hogshead 2808 that was bottled especially for the Belgian bottler The Nectar.

A very vegetal nose, this Balmenach! Freshly cut grass, wet branches and nettles. Then a truckload of honey and a touch of vanilla. Walnuts. Spices, but nothing specific. After a while, I get some white fruit. Think apples, mostly, but there is some citrus in there as well.

Tight and rather alcoholic arrival. The spices pipe up first, followed by citrus. Clearly grapefruit, now. The walnuts return with a slight bitterness. Sweeter than expected.

Nice, long finish on citrus fruit with a peppery edge.

Very nice Balmenach with a green edge.

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