Review #356; Scotch #132: Ballechin SFTC Port Cask 13yr 2004

This is an offering from Ballechin of their Straight from the Cask series. It was aged all 13 years in a Port Cask and was bottled with no color added, non-chill filtered, and at cask strength. This comes from Cask #205, was barreled in 2004 and bottled in 2018.

ABV: 54.3%

Nose: Strong rotting vegetational peat, ash, Campfire smoke, Peppercorns, Tart Rasberry, Ripe Red Grapes,

Palate: Medium, oily mouthfeel. Vegetational peat, campfire smoke, ash. Red Grape, bbq meat, Peppercorn,

Finish: Medium Length, ash, peat, lighter on the smoke. Raspberry and red grape. BBQ Meats and some allspice.

Rating: 6/10

This is the 2nd SFTC that I have tried, and while good it is not as good as the 11yr Bordeaux cask I tried. There is less balance here overall, though while still good it does not reach quite as high heights. This is a brash, punch in the face peat and faint fruitiness that demands all of your attention (in a good way).

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect