New Release: Balmenach 1988 26 Year Old Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Hoop #3236

A straightforward and delicious malt whisky. Balmenach BALMENACH 1988-2015 26 Year Old Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Hoop #3236 51.8% One of 200 bottles, Hogshead The aroma features honey lemon, fresh apple juice, ginger ale, light vanilla cream, a matured barley note that gradually intensifies, slightly reminiscent of tatami mats, pleasant oak. Upon drinking, the stimulation is minimal and it slips in smoothly, with green apple, honey's rich sweetness balanced by a moderate oak bitterness, concentrated umami from matured barley, smooth vanilla cream, a faint tar note, subtle spiciness, and a long, pleasant finish. [Good/Very Good] This is a Signatory Balmenach 1988, 26-year-old whisky bottled by The Whisky Hoop. It was a first release alongside the Imperial 1995 we introduced earlier. Among these two Signatory bottlings for The Whisky Hoop, this one has a longer maturation period, yet it lacks artificial nuances and maintains natural freshness. The fresh notes of apple juice and honey lemon were particularly impressive, with the barley character being appropriately matured for its age. However, this freshness does not imply any green or unripe characteristics. It slips in smoothly without strong assertions, yet the rich sweetness and bitterness are pleasant. The concentrated umami from the barley gives it a straightforwardly delicious profile. It's natural, without any awkward elements, and so tasty that you can't help but keep drinking. In fact, I'm currently drinking it at home, and it's disappearing at an amazing rate (laughs). It's a clean 1980s malt without any forced elements, a nice choice.