Four drams deep into my pre-visit exploration of the Lakes Distillery and we arrive at my second of the Makers Series, the 54% Bal Masque. Having been impressed by the Mosaic I have high hopes for another excellent offering. What does the distillery have to say about this offering: “Complex and aromatic, Bal Masque bears the mystery and seduction of a masquerade ball. Flavours and aromas mingle like masked revellers with featherlight touches. The beauty of Bal Masque derives from the mercurial, not the obvious. With untold guile, wisdom, wit and panache, the whisky maker has masterfully conducted enigmatic French oak casks to create a seductive, mysterious character.” I still have no idea what the marketing department were smoking when they wrote these synopses. So much BS. It does seem though that both Quercus Petraea, previously used as wine casks, and Quercus Robur (undisclosed former use) were combined to create this liquid. N: Assertive and slightly aggressive. There is a bounty of wood spice, cinnamon (thats the aggressor), crisp pear (or apple?), and most interestingly a slightly floral smoky like quality. Theres even more though; vanilla, caramel, cereal, and maybe a crisp brown sugar. Wonderful stuff. Everything beautifully refined and the lightest of presences that lets everything come through in equal measure. A dash of water has brought that floral note forward and turned it into the inside of a hippie crystal wand and dragon statue shop; incense. Water tames the aggressive edge but also takes the rich caramel notes way down too. P: Light, but with an oily presence. Vanilla caramel arrives first and leaves last but carries with it a toasty-nutty creaminess that I suspect is the wood talking. Cinnamon and nutmeg spice (and a lot of them) are reminders of the 54% ABV, generic fruit juiciness keeps the spice in check. The smallest of sips reveals a red berry to stewed plum like sweet-freshness. All lovely enough, but overshadowed by the remarkable intrigue the nose presents. Water destroys here, the palate becomes thin and bland. Don’t do it, drink it at 54%, its not harsh or bitey here. F: Long. The cinnamon warmth is beautifully wholesome and carries a little juicy fruit and wooded spice. This is again, really good stuff. Highly engaging and interesting, with just the most wonderfully complex and delicate nose. Some of the wanky BS marketing spiel I have to concede, applies here. It is “featherlight” and mysterious. Sadly the palate is a touch less than the nose, just slightly under delivering on big promises made by the nose. The finish, perfect for a cold night coming in from the cold (not well suited to the sweaty state I’m in today at 36 °C). Still impressive stuff, and the Lakes Spirit is clearly very good. So far my early half baked uneducated and unprofessional opinion is that the One Series can be ignored in place of the Makers Series. I am now pumped for the last in my exploration; The Reserve No. 5. GBP80 but here in the Australian market; not even available. [Pictured here with a porphyritic microgranite from Threlkeld, around 10 miles southeast of the Lakes Distillery. This 451 million year old rock was originally the same composition as granite, but cooled much more rapidly to produce a ‘micro’ texture. Now altered to buggery, so it looks absolutely nothing like a granite]. Distiller whisky taste #129