Ballechin 13 Year Old 2005 CaskAid

CaskAid is an npo that selects single casks, bottles them and donates the proceeds to a charity. Drinking whisky for a good cause? What’s not to like? This is already their 23rd release. It’s a Ballechin – peated Edradour (50ppm) – from 2005 that matured on a former Burgundy cask. It’s my 13th Ballechin so far. I’m not a superstitious man, but… Ballechin on a wine cask? I’m curious!

Well, let me just come out and say it. It stinks! Sulfur and stuck matches, rotted plants and unwashed socks make me gasp for breath. Luckily that is followed by some sweet and dark fruit and a nice note of chocolate. Slowly that evolves towards autumn leaves and finally some red fruit. Cherries and strawberries.

The arrival is suspiciously soft and is has to be said: on the palate, it’s a whole other ballgame. Immediately sweet, spicy and quite interesting. Still somewhat ‘dirty’, but obviously that is part of the charm of Ballechin. Ginger, cloves and even some saffron. Nice smokiness that becomes quite big. Soft tannins, mildly drying. The red fruit is charming, while butterscotch joins to sweeten the deal.

Very, very long finish in which the red fruit goes head-to-head with the peat.

Well, I must admit… sometimes a whisky can appear so bad, that it actually becomes good. So do not get me wrong: this one is fun! Thanks, Eric!

Find where to buy Ballechin whisky