Balmenach 2001 Aged 18 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Samaroli (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 59.7%           Age: 18 Years            Country: Scotland

Cask Number: 06/06081
Date of Distilling: 2001
Date of Bottling: 2019
Matured In: a hand selected fresh fill Sherry cask
Un-Chillfiltered

The Samaroli company was originally founded by Silvano S Samaroli in 1968. He was one of the first dedicated independent bottlers to actively promote cask strength whisky, and is still one of the only companies to tout the beneficial effects of bottle ageing with the much-loved line on the rear labels: ‘Further matures in its bottle’.

Through the 1980s Samaroli released dozens of bottlings which are now considered ‘legends’ and are fought over tooth and nail whenever they appear at auction. The artistry of the labels has also proved influential over the years with numerous bottlers taking inspiration from Samaroli’s elegant and artistic style.

Silvano S Samaroli sadly passed away in February 2017. Samaroli’s wife, Maryse Accorsi Samaroli is currently supervising the release of his remaining stocks.

Balmenach is well known to produce a tradition Speyside dram and this single malt is no different. It does offer something a little different however being matured in a fresh first fill Sherry barrel for 18 years.

This bottling has been bottled at natural cask strength 56.2% abv and only 270 of them were available for the entire world.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Gingerbread men freshly baked and warming, grenola bars, Christmas cake and Scottish black bun.

Palate: It’s a very nice dram indeed. Christmas cake, spices and salted caramel. A little sulphur there but not enough to taint the overall flavour.

Finish: Cigar boxes and Sherry notes.