Edradour Ballechin 20 year old 2004/2024 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 52,8%

Some whiskies need decades to truly find themselves. This 20-year-old Ballechin is one of the clearest examples of what patience and good oak can do for a peated whisky.

The expert's description

Edradour Ballechin 20 years old 2004/2024 Bourbon Barrels is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in 1st fill bourbon casks and bottled at 52.8%.

The whisky was distilled in the spring of 2004 and spent a full 20 years in bourbon casks before being bottled in March 2024. Those long years on wood have given it an unusual depth, where Ballechin's forceful peat has gradually been softened by the vanilla and sweetness of American oak. With 2,016 bottles, this is one of the larger releases in the series, but still a rare chance to taste what two decades of maturation do to a peated Highland whisky.

Tasting notes

Nose

Smoked vanilla meets grilled pineapple and heather honey, with hints of leather and dried coconut. Malt and oak sit as a deeper undercurrent.

Palate

Silky in texture, where the bourbon cask's sweetness weaves together with layers of peat smoke, caramelised nuts, citrus oil and cinnamon.

Finish

Long, warm and lingering, with dried fruit, sweet oak, ash and a hint of dark chocolate.

Specifications

Name: Edradour Ballechin 20 years old 2004/2024 Bourbon Barrels Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 52.8%
Distillery: Edradour Ballechin
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 20 years
ABV: 52,8 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill bourbonfade
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: spring 2004
Bottled: 04/03/2024
Number of bottles: Only 2,016 bottles
EAN no.: 5021944125494

Flavour profile

Peated · Creamy · Spicy · Smooth

Did you know?

Edradour is still so small that the distillery's entire annual output matches what many larger Highland distilleries produce in under a week.

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Frequently asked questions about Edradour Ballechin 20 yo Bourbon Barrels

How does a 20-year-old Ballechin compare to the younger releases?

The smoke is more integrated and less sharp than in younger Ballechin bottlings, while the bourbon cask's vanilla and sweetness have had time to reach deep into the whisky.

What cask type was used for this whisky?

It matured exclusively in 1st fill bourbon casks, which gives it the characteristic vanilla and coconut notes alongside the peat.

How many bottles exist of this release?

2,016 bottles were drawn from this bourbon cask maturation.

Would this whisky suit a fan of peated Islay whisky?

Yes, but expect a different, more earthy and less maritime smoke style than the classic Islay whiskies.

Should water be added?

A small splash of water can open the aromas further, but it also works well neat thanks to its relatively moderate strength of 52.8%.

What makes this particular Ballechin special?

The combination of 20 years of maturation and exclusively 1st fill bourbon casks is unusual in a series that's typically bottled younger.