On the menu today are a Ballindaloch and some indy Glenfarclas. What is the link between those? Most whisky lovers know Glenfarclas, Ballindalloch’s famous distillery. Some may also recognise Cragganmore. Fewer people realise that Ballindalloch hosts a third distillery: the Ballindalloch Distillery itself. Today, let’s try a single cask from Ballindalloch—the first I’ve managed to get hold of—and compare it with a few Glenfarclas expressions as benchmarks.
Ballindaloch Distillery
Ballindalloch Distillery is a family-run single malt Scotch whisky producer located in the heart of Speyside, Scotland, on the historic Ballindalloch Castle estate. Founded by the Macpherson-Grant family, whose whisky roots stretch back to the 19th century and the co-founding of Cragganmore distillery, Ballindalloch proudly stands as one of the first Scotland’s true ‘single estate’ distilleries (after Daftmill, Arbikie and Lochlea). Here, every step of the whisky-making process—from cultivating barley on the estate’s own fields to maturation in on-site warehouses—takes place within the boundaries of the property, ensuring complete provenance and traceability.
Production began in 2014 after several years of careful planning and restoration of 19th-century farm buildings, blending tradition with modern craftsmanship. The distillery remains deliberately artisanal and ‘hands-on’, with small-batch production, four traditional wooden washbacks, and long fermentation times that contribute to a characterful spirit. The draff—the spent grain from the mashing process—is used to feed the estate’s historic herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle, reinforcing the sustainable and closed-loop ethos at Ballindalloch. Distillation is made first in a 5000 litre lantern-shaped wash still, then in a 3600 litre spririt still featuring a reflux ball. Both stills are then connected to wooden wormtubs. The Ballindaloch distillery has a capacity of 100,000 litres of pure alcohol per year, but for now only produces 75,000 litres of alcohol per year, working five days a week.
Ballindalloch launched its first release in August 2023.
Ballindalloch 2015 Single Cask (2024) Review
We start with our first Ballindalloch whisky. Ballindalloch distilled this single cask on 5 March 2015 and bottled it on 30 January 2024 for the Benelux market. This whisky matured eight years in a Sherry Butt, numbered #108. The distillery bottled it at cask strength, 60.5% ABV, filling 631 bottles, without chill filtration nor added colour. Some Dutch shops still sell this Ballindalloch 2015 Single Cask for around €130, but you can find it cheaper on the secondary market.
Colour:
Tawny.
Nose:
Neat: The nose is full and richly aromatic, dominated by oxidative Oloroso sherry with pronounced yeast, spices, and subtle bitterness. Layers of dried fruits emerge—plums, sultanas and candied red berries—alongside forest honey, cinnamon, and black pepper. There are also notes of old leather, dusty oak, and chocolate. The nose is complex and layered, requiring time to fully open, revealing jammy forest fruit, almond nuttiness and hints of nail polish and resin.
With water: The nose becomes more delicate and honey-like, with tart herbs, pickled oranges, plum compote, and juicy baking spices coming forward.
Palate:
Neat: The palate is powerful and full-bodied, arriving sharp and dry with significant oak influence and cask-driven bitterness. Spices dominate—cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and ginger—balanced by layers of fruit. Apricots, raspberries, cranberries, and brown sugar provide sweetness, while darker notes of tobacco, walnuts, teak, pine resin and cocoa powder emerge. The mouthfeel is creamy despite the alcohol intensity.
With water: The palate becomes more balanced and integrated, revealing additional fruit character, malt sweetness, orange zest, lemon flesh and albedo, and herbaceous nuances.
Finish:
The finish is medium in length, quickly mellowing from the sharp initial impression into a more rounded conclusion. Sherry, oak spices, and dried fruit notes persist.
Comments:
This Ballindalloch 2015 Single Cask #108 is a powerful and rewarding dram that demands time and patience. The cask influence is prominent but well-integrated, the fruit character is jammy and complex, and the spice profile adds vibrancy. Adding water is recommended to unlock its full potential and soften the alcohol burn. A truly multifaceted whisky that reveals new layers with each sip, it’s an excellent example of a well-executed single cask bottling, and a successful first look at Ballindalloch Distillery for me.
Rating: 7/10
Secret Distillery #1 (Glenfarclas) 9-Year-Old Batch 2 That Boutique-y Whisky Company (2017) Review
Next comes the first of three independently bottled secret Glenfarclas. We begin with Secret Distillery #1, 9-year-old Batch 2 from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. This batch of secret Glenfarclas came out in 2017, yielding 1,220 bottles. Each bottle holds 500 ml (as usual with non-core Boutique-y whiskies) and the whisky is bottled at 51.7% ABV. It’s likely diluted slightly, not full cask strength. The whisky has no added colouring or chill filtration. You can still find bottles at Scotland and Malts in Germany, priced around €110.
Colour:
Rust.
Nose:
Neat: Nosed blind, this could pass for a Borderies cognac. The nose blasts out heavy sherry, treacle, dark chocolate, soaked raisins, and dates. Blackberry jam and Christmas spices—cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and nutmeg—stand out. Roasted hazelnuts and prunes sit alongside candied orange and Demerara sugar. Tobacco, brown sugar, and toffee , with a light alcoholic prickle that fades with time in the glass.
With water: The nose shifts back to classic sherried whisky. The cognac-like edge recedes but a hint of alcohol lingers.
Palate:
Neat: The palate feels thick and powerful. Dark caramel and burnt raisins lead, followed by burnt toast and sweet barley. Christmas spices return—cloves, black pepper, cinnamon—plus liquorice, dark chocolate, and cocoa powder. Dried red fruits, honey, tobacco, leather, and green walnut give earthy weight. The mouthfeel is lightly oily, perhaps just a bit thin.
With water: Dark cherries in liquor and burnt raisins push forward, with spice and sweet-tart balance.
Finish:
The finish runs long and drying. Dark berries, spice, toast, and camphor take centre stage. Waxy dried fruits, cocoa powder, rum sweetness, and tobacco linger. Hints of chocolate, spent matches, and black pepper add a crack of spice. Some find a slightly bitter, oaky close.
Comments:
This Secret Distillery #1 Batch 2 from That Boutique-y is a heavily sherried, dark, and intense whisky that leans towards roasted and spiced flavours rather than bright fruitiness. It’s a polarising dram—fans of robust, Christmas spice-forward sherry bombs will find much to love, while those expecting the typical Glenfarclas profile may be surprised by its intensity and spice dominance. Adding water is recommended to tame the alcohol and reveal additional layers. A solid choice for cold evenings and festive occasions, and we’re nearing them at full speed.
Rating: 7/10
Secret Distillery #1 (Glenfarclas) 9-Year-Old Batch 5 That Boutique-y Whisky Company (2017) Review Review
We continue with Boutique-y and Secret Distillery #1, this time with Batch 5. It’s another 9-year-old, matured in sherry casks. The distillery bottled it for La Maison Du Whisky in 2017 at 60.5% ABV. Every new batch features small changes on the label, which are always fun to spot. You can still find it in Austria at killis.at for €130.
Colour:
Old oak.
Nose:
Neat: The nose bursts with intensity. Sherry, ginger, cinnamon, and orange peel blend with wood spice. Layers of dark chocolate, coffee, and rancio pair with cherry liqueur and soft red fruits. Caramel, candied citrus, and floral hints lift things further. The alcohol feels well-integrated, offering good punch without sting.
With water: Metallic notes—copper coins and pipes—appear, alongside pine wood, cones, and sharp orange marmalade on crispy toast.
Palate:
Neat: The palate starts dry and incisive, then builds richness. Sour strawberries, cherries, and rhubarb mix with dates, figs, and raisins. Ginger, cinnamon, and other spices weave through burnt chocolate, caramel, and candied citrus. The texture is supple and oily, with a touch of wood tannin.
With water: Ooak and spice grow stronger, hinting at European oak. Caraway, apple caramel, pickled ginger, and lime bring brightness.
Finish:
The finish is medium long and lingers with spices, figs, dates, and salted caramel. Citrus—lime and grapefruit—appears last, with a gentle note of ginger.
Comments:
This Secret Distillery #1 Batch 5 delivers a supple and complex sherried profile. Bright red fruits blend with Eastern spices. Notes of chocolate and caramel round out the dram. The result recalls the character of old Aberlour A’Bunadh and classic festive treats.
Rating: 7/10
Glenfarclas 2012 1.281 Endlessly Revealing SMWS (2023) Review
Our last dram comes from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and stands out from typical Glenfarclas. Glenfarclas 2012, coded 1.281 ‘Endlessly Revealing’, matured ten years with a finish in a second-fill ex-Islay barrel. The SMWS bottled it in 2023 at cask strength, 63.9% ABV, without chill filtration or added colour. Only 208 bottles were released. They’re all sold out at the SMWS, but a British retailer still lists it for £115—a noticeable increase from the original price, likely around £70.
Colour:
Old gold.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens on sharp, salty notes—pickle brine, seaweed, and black liquorice. Gentle peat smoke appears in the background, with pepper, maritime minerals, and a subtle herbal edge.Over time, the sharpness fades, and layers of aniseed, dried herbs, and spice step forward.
With water: Sharpness returns at first, then menthol, eucalyptus, camphor, and a rush of medicinal and fresh herbal notes emerge.
Palate:
Neat: The palate attacks sharp and austere—almost like raw absinthe. Raw alcohol and aniseed dominate at first. As it opens, complexity builds. Peppery spices, herbal notes, and mineral brine persist. The ex-peated cask reveals itself not through raw peat but through ashy smoke and soot layered over an otherwise raw and naked Glenfarclas character.
With water: An ephemeral sweetness first arrives before the strongly alcoholic absinth returns, like the sweetness of the sugar is first perceived before the burn of the absinth. Peppery heat follows with mint chocolate and maritime brine.
Finish:
The finish stays sharp and incisive. Pepper, aniseed, and maritime minerality linger. Black liquorice and briny, saline notes persist. The alcohol warms and remains present. The finish stays crisp rather than the smooth finish typical Glenfarclas delivers.
Comments:
This is far from being a traditional Glenfarclas sherry bomb, but rather an unconventional expression that showcases the Speyside distillery through an unexpected lens of in-cask virtual blending. The ex-Islay bourbon barrel influence is evident, creating an unusual profile for Glenfarclas that emphasises smoke, maritime qualities, and spice over the typical sherry-driven character. This SMWS 1.281 is a truly unconventional Glenfarclas—an “endlessly revealing” dram that challenges expectations and rewards patience. The 2nd fill ex-Islay bourbon barrel maturation creates an unusual profile for the distillery, focusing on maritime, briny, and peppery characteristics over traditional sherry influence. The high ABV and initial sharpness demand respect and ideally dilution, but beneath the intensity lies a complex, multi-layered whisky that defies easy categorisation. A polarising dram—some will find it fascinating for its uniqueness, while others may find the sharp, briny profile challenging. Best approached with water and time in the glass to unlock its full potential.