Balmenach 13 years ex Sherry butt by Hart Brothers 53.3% 700ml

From one of Scotland’s more traditional type of distilleries featuring worm tubs rather than shell and tube condensers. Worm tubs produce a more meaty and characterful type of spirit which melds very well with big flavoured casks like a sherry butt. Balmenach’s spirit is rarely found as a single malt so when a stunning sherry cask rolls up like this it won’t last long.

Nose: Oven roasted quince and raspberry coulis when freshly poured. After some time in glass, Blood plums and Dutch liquorice, followed by fresh tobacco.
Palate: Chocolate bullets and Kirsch liqueur leads into port wine jelly and chico babies.
Finish: Quite a dry, baking spice finish. Very moorish!

Hart Brothers can trace their origins in the licensed trade back to the late 19th century when the family were licensed victuallers and publicans in Paisley, the mill town on the outskirts of Glasgow. It was not until 1964 that brothers Iain & Donald Hart incorporated the company as Wine & Spirit Wholesalers and Scotch Whisky Blenders. Alistair Hart joined the company in 1975 and it was his responsibility as chief blender to source vintage casks of single malt whisky that were not readily available through any specialist whisky shop or online whisky site.