1987 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Balmenach 32 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A very special Balmenach, notable for being one of its biggest age statements on record, surpassed only by a handful of marginally older independent offerings. 208 bottles of this expression from G&M are available globally. Distilled in 1987 with maturation taking place in a refill Sherry hogshead #4042, of similar Balmenachs that we've tasted, the style tends to be full bodied, flavoursome and quite distinctive. Some commentators describe it as making what could be classed as an ‘old-style’ whisky, aided by long fermentations and relatively small stills. The new-make is slow maturing, rich and meaty (great for beefing up blends) which is why current owners, Inver House Distillers have no immediate plans to release it as an official distillery bottling. Going by G&M's notes, this one flaunts a lot of sherry in an impressive fashion and dials it up at the finish where brown sugar meets dark chocolate and hints of orange zest. 51% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.