Balmenach 2014 Madeira Cask Finish - The Golden Cut (Cooper’s Choice), 11 YO, 50.0%
An independent bottling from The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Distilled December 2014, and matured for more than 11 years in a single American oak cask (cask #0574) and finished for a few months in an ex-Madeira cask. Limited to 354 bottles.
The Balmenach 2014 Madeira Cask Finish - The Golden Cut (Cooper’s Choice) is available to buy in Norway in a few days at NOK 1011 (21226901).
Nose: Unripe apples lead the way, quickly followed by richer, riper orchard fruits. A lovely contrast between fresh, tart fruitiness and deeper, sweeter notes. Then comes the barest hint of funkiness.
Taste: Full bodied. Sweeter than the nose might have suggested, with rich, appealing fruitiness taking center stage. The sweetness is generous, but nicely balanced by the lively fruit character.
Finish: Medium-long finish. The fruitiness takes a darker turn now, with chocolate and leather making their presence felt. Raisins and dates add further richness, before we end up with dark chocolate filled with red berry jam.
Comment: Fresh beginnings, decadently dark finish.
Score 86/100
Sláinte!
-Thomas
