Balblair 2006/2020 14 year (cask #77 for LMDW)

The aroma is rich with leathery rancio from an active sherry cask, subtle sulfur notes reminiscent of burnt matches or heavily sulfured dried apricots, and oxidized dried fruits like figs, dates, and raisins. It also carries scents of walnut bread and a faint, complex smokiness akin to a discharged firearm. Water enhances complexity and softness, revealing hints of pipe tobacco, dusky rose, vanilla, grass clippings, and fresh apricot. The initial taste presents semi-sweet dried fruits, malt extract, blackstrap molasses, and oxidized sherry, evolving into astringency with notes of aged walnuts, bitter orange, and dark chocolate. The sherry's sweetness provides balance against a drying profile. Its texture is full yet creamy. With water, the experience is less extreme, with more flavor interplay, minty notes, and a touch of salmiak. The progression from sweet to dry and back to sweet becomes more relaxed. Extended resting after dilution reveals sweetness and a vanilla-like oak character. The finish is long, with a persistent palate that fades into an aftertaste of malt, sherry, dried fruits, and a menthol touch. Dilution affects the intensity and sweetness slightly. This is an exceptional Balblair, from a time of vintage releases, specifically from Oloroso cask #77, bottled in 2020 for La Maison du Whisky, with limited production. The nose shows significant depth, comparable to much older whiskies, without floral notes. The cask influence is profound but balanced with the distillate. The sherry character is prominent yet refined, occasionally leaning towards dryness due to cask tannins. This is an exemplary sherried whisky, not overpowering but perfectly integrated. Recommended, even at a higher price point.