26.228 Harmoniously Balanced 14 Year Old Single Malt 700ml 54.7%

Elegant, composed — and gone before most had a chance.

Volume: 700ml
ABV: 54.7%
Origin: Scotland
Style: Single Cask Single Malt
Cask: Refill Hogshead (Ex-Bourbon)
Filled: 2010
Age: 14 Years
Status: Sold Out on Release

This one didn’t sit on shelves.

26.228 was snapped up on release through SMWS, and it’s not hard to understand why. It’s a whisky built on balance - not power - and that restraint is exactly what makes it stand out.

The nose opens with a lifted, floral profile. Roses, violets and jasmine lead the way, backed by honeysuckle and a soft, fruit-driven sweetness that feels both delicate and structured.

On the palate, it carries that same clarity. Bright citrus notes - think old-fashioned lemonade - sit alongside honeydew melon and a subtle grainy texture that adds depth without weight.

With water, it shifts into something more rounded. Heather honey, gentle spice and a lightly fermented tropical edge bring a new layer of complexity, before settling into chamomile, citrus peel and soft malted biscuits.

There’s nothing forced here. No heavy cask influence, no over-extraction - just a well-judged cask that’s been allowed to speak for itself.

A quietly complex, beautifully balanced malt — and one that disappeared as quickly as it arrived.