Edradour Ballechin 15 years old SBCS 2nd Release Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 58.9%

The second release in the SBCS series continues the story from the 1st Release, but with a character all its own — a touch more subdued.

The expert's description

Edradour Ballechin 15 years old SBCS 2nd Release is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in used bourbon and sherry casks and bottled at 58.9%.

As the second release in the Small Batch Cask Strength series, this 15-year-old Ballechin continues the line from the 1st Release, but matured in used 1st fill bourbon barrels and 2nd fill Oloroso sherry butts, which gives a slightly more subdued cask influence than an exclusively 1st fill maturation. 3,461 bottles were released to the global market.

Tasting notes

Nose

Smoked caramel and ripe plums, with a lighter sherry note than in the 1st Release and a touch of fresh tar.

Palate

Full-bodied and powerful with peat smoke woven together with raisin, dark brown sugar and a slightly bitter cocoa note.

Finish

Long and spicy with lingering smoke, dried figs and a dry, faintly gripping finish.

Specifications

Name: Edradour Ballechin 15 years old SBCS 2nd Release Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 58.9%
Distillery: Edradour Ballechin
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 58,9 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: used 1st fill bourbon barrels and 2nd fill Oloroso Sherry butts
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Number of bottles: Only 3,461 bottles
Edition: SBCS 2nd Release

Flavour profile

Peated · Sherry-matured · Spicy

Did you know?

The numbering in the SBCS series — 1st Release, 2nd Release and so on — doesn't necessarily indicate a chronological rise in quality, but rather different batches, each with their own unique cask composition.

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Frequently asked questions about Edradour Ballechin 15 yo SBCS 2nd Release

What's the difference between the 1st and 2nd Release in the SBCS series?

The 2nd Release matured in used, rather than exclusively 1st fill, bourbon and sherry casks, giving a slightly more subdued cask character.

How many bottles were released?

3,461 bottles were sent out to the global market for this 2nd Release.

Which casks were used?

A combination of used 1st fill bourbon barrels and 2nd fill Oloroso sherry butts.

Is it as powerful as the 1st Release?

Yes, it's bottled at the same cask strength of 58.9%, but with a slightly more subdued cask character.

Is it worth the money compared to the 1st Release?

Both releases offer the same age and cask strength, so the choice mostly comes down to preference for cask character rather than a quality difference.

How is this whisky best served?

Neat or with a small splash of water, so the full complexity of smoke and cask can unfold.