The Balvenie 21yo, Madeira Cask
ABV: 40%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type:
Traditional Oak Casks, finished in Madeira Wine Casks

 

Colour: Deep copper.
Nose: Opens with creamy vanilla and loads of fruit. Fruit basket full of ripe apricots, peaches, juicy oranges, quince, mirabelle and pineapple juice. Inebriant and very appealing. Hints of toffee with the typical Balvenie honey edge. Rich with subtle notes of cinnamon, ginger and oak in the back.
Palate: The palate exactly delivers what the nose promises. Soft, almost silky, sweet and very fruity with a plethora of yellow fruits - apricots, mirabelles, juicy oranges, peaches and sultanas. This is lovely combined with creamy vanilla, toffee and honey. Gentle spice and oak layers towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is medium long and creamy with vanilla, sweet barley sugar and fruity with sticky fruit jam. Slightly bitter notes of orange peel along with oak and cinnamon spice on the tail.
With water: A few drops of water bring more creamy vanilla and honey to the fore while the delicate fruitiness is only slightly tamed. More oak spice in the background. The sweet and creamy flavours are slightly reduced with an enhanced spiciness of oak, cinnamon, white pepper and ginger. The fruitiness is still present. The finish is rather short with vanilla and malted barley, subtle dry with more oak spice coming through.
Comments: A luscious, rich and delicate single malt with a lovely mouthfeel. Shows an inebriant fruitiness - like walking through an orchard in summer time. Nicely complex and layered. Although having been matured for over 21 years in oak casks, the oaky and spicy flavours aren't dominating at all but stay in perfect harmony with the sweet and fruity layers of this beauty. Dangerously quaffable! For this it isn't a bad thing that The Balvenie 21yo Madeira Cask is bottled at only 40% abv - you can have a second dram, or third.


The Balvenie Tun 1509, Batch No. 2, 2015 Release
ABV: 50.3%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: 23 American Oak Hogsheads and Barrels, 7 European Oak Sherry Butts and 2 Ex-sherry Hogsheads (8,500 btl.)

 

Colour: Old gold.
Nose: A soft, rich aroma of acacia honey, mirabelles, apricots and backed apples. This is accompanied by a subtle note of raisins, almonds and vanilla, deliciously sweetened with a touch of brown sugar and cinnamon. Oak with tender floral notes and a whiff of smoke in the back. A pleasant nose which significantly develops with time.
Palate: Yes - this is Balvenie! Soft and smooth with a plethora of yellow fruits - apricots, mirabelles, sultanas and apples, lovely combined with custard and beautiful notes of acacia honey. This is complemented by a massive load of warming spices - oak, white pepper, cinnamon and tender aniseed. Nicely balanced with depth and texture. Luscious oranges linger towards the finish. Extremely mouth-coating.
Finish: The long, warm and sweet finish offers mirabelles and apricots. Slightly bitter and astringent aftertaste with orange peel, tannins and a whiff of smoke.
With water: Fresher on the nose with water. There's more fruitiness' coming through with apricots, peaches and vanilla custard. The sweetness is tamed with water bringing more bitter notes of orange peel and tannins. The spiciness is less warm and intense. The finish is medium long, less sweet, creamy with acacia honey, cloves and very dry oak.
Comments: A stunning second batch of Balvenie's Tun 1509. Powerful, rich and nicely complex. The depth and slightly bitterness of the European oak sherry casks is perfectly balanced with the fresh and sweet fruitiness, vanilla, and lingering honey notes induced by the American casks. I prefer this beauty neat.

 

I thank Benjamin Becker for the photograph!


The Balvenie 15yo, Single Barrel Sherry Cask
ABV: 47.8%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Sherry Cask (#2806, no more than 650 btl.)

 

Colour: Mahogany.
Nose: Massive and rich aromas of sherry, candied fruit and Demerara sugar. Rum soaked raisins, figs and dates arrive with lingering notes of Christmas cake and walnuts. Hints of cinnamon and subtle oak with a gentle touch of tobacco leaves and a whiff of smoke in the back. Mouth-watering, rich and complex.
Palate: Wow - as the nose already promises there’s lots of sherry influence here: concentrated dried dark fruits, rum notes, and subtle Demerara sugar complemened by an intensive and warming spiciness of toasted oak, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Not too sweet as bitter notes of dark chocolate, orange peel and tannic oak counter the sherry sweetness. Well balanced with depth and texture. Mouthcoating with lingering notes of walnuts towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long, warm, and spicy with dry sherry notes, prickling oak, walnuts, and whiff of smoke on the tail.
With water: There’s almost no change on the nose by adding a splash of water, with a gentle note of smoke in the back. The bitterness is tamed with water bringing more fruits and an intense sweetness on the palate. Creamy with more toffee and drying spices. The finish is long with prickling oak and a very dry and slightly astringent aftertaste.
Comments: A vibrant and voluptuous dram - deep, rich and complex. The sherry influence is massive conveying a delicate fruitiness, richness and elegance, but also a significant dryness which balances this malt very well. An amazingly great whisky with a beautiful composition of delicate flavours. A savoury and gentle malt not only for the sherry aficionado. An excellent and for sure sought-after bottling from The Balvenie. Well done folks!


The Balvenie 16yo, Triple Cask
ABV: 40%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: First-fill Bourbon Casks, Refill Bourbon Casks, and First-fill Oloroso Sherry Butts

 

Colour: Old gold.
Nose: The nose starts off with delicate notes of honey, vanilla, and toffee. Very treacly with pleasant flavours of dark fruit, raspberry in particular, mixed with gentle citric aroma and a whiff of pepper and lingering oak in the back. Rich and complex.
Palate: Smooth and soft with a rich vanilla sweetness. Slightly sherry flavours and fruity notes of peaches and plums arrive, complemented by lingering toffee and a warm load of delicate spices - white pepper, caramelised ginger, nutmeg, oak and a fine whiff of cinnamon. Vibrant and voluptuous.
Finish: The finish is long, warm and spicy with red berries, honey, toffee and a whiff of smoke on the tail.
With water: Fresh on the nose with more yellow fruit’s coming through, complemented by soft and lingering vanilla and delicate honey. Water tames a bit of the spiciness bringing more vanilla sweetness and toffee to the fore. The finish is long, sweet and creamy with tender spiciness.
Comments: A fragrant and delightful dram. Very smooth, with delicate vanilla and toffee sweetness from the bourbon casks, well balanced by the dark fruity flavours and warming spiciness of the sherry butts. A savoury and gentle malt - deep, rich and complex.

 

I thank William Grant & Sons for the photograph!


The Balvenie 12yo, Handfilled, Warehouse No. 24
ABV: 62.7%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: First-fill Sherry Butt (#2393, 20cl bottle, filled on 8.1.2016)

 

Colour: Mahogany.
Nose: Heavy toffee and chocolate aroma mingle with black cherries, soaked in brandy, molasses, sherry and rum flavours. Rich raisins and figs, liquorice and intense dark fruit jam. It reminds me of German Rum-Trauben-Nuss chocolate. Extremely appealing. A gorgeous nose!
Palate: Rich sherry aromas, sweet with thick dried fruits. Sweet burnt toffee, a berry fruit richness of blackcurrants, figs and dark cherries intermingle with a delicate nuttiness and a warm mix of spices – gentle pepper, oak, and cinnamon. Oranges and spicy ginger are leading to a wonderfully, lingering sweet mouthfeel. You would never expect that this has been filled above 60% alcohol.
Finish: Very long and sweet with sticky plum jam, slightly bitter cocoa, gentle burnt sugar and lots of walnut flavours. Smooth and satisfying warmth that lingers all the way long. A brilliant finish indeed!
With water: Water significantly increases the fruity sweetness with more sherry, cherries and raisins coming through, on a discreet background of chocolate and molasses. Round, smooth and harmonious on the palate. The sweet and sticky fruitiness is well balanced with the lingering warm spices and walnut notes. The finish is still long, warm and vibrant with sticky fruit jam and prickling oak.
Comments: Absolutely brilliant stuff, lovely palatable at cask strength. This is liquid dessert. Sticky fruitiness shines through all the way with great elegance and complexity. A heavily sweet and rich nose with a superb palate and a glorious finish. I enjoyed every sip thoroughly and highly recommend to do a Balvenie tour and fill your own liquid nectar!

 

I thank Joe Seidel from Joe’s Malt Shop for dipping the dog for me.


The Balvenie 14yo, Handfilled, Warehouse No. 24
ABV: 59.8%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: First-fill Bourbon Barrel (#1841, 20cl bottle, filled on 8.1.2016)

 

Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: A heavy bourbon nose! Fresh and clean with lots of lingering vanilla flavours and delicate toffee. Very fruity with orchard fruits, pineapple, gentle coconut and a fresh whiff of citrus. This is quite floral as well with subtle pollen and nectar, a little hay and hints of aniseed and ginger. A gorgeous nose!
Palate: Oh yes - this is Balvenie! Lots of delicate ripe fruits - mirabelles, apricots, oranges and banana, complemented by a massive wave of warmth with gentle ginger, aniseed and white pepper. It’s rather difficult to continue breathing. The warmth, however, quickly fades leaving creamy and sweet honeyed notes behind, accompanied by sticky orchard fruits on the tongue. Amazingly delicate!
Finish: A long and quite warm finish with some custard, hints of pineapples and apricots and some woody notes on the tongue. Extremely mouthfilling with a slightly bitter aftertaste of orange peel and pink grapefruit. Really a satisfying finish!
With water: A dash of water increases the fruitiness of this beauty. There’s more apricots, mango and orchard fruits, with significantly less vanilla and caramel notes. Creamy, even silky on the palate with lots of delicate ripe fruit and a significantly tamed warmth. Lingering toffee and vanilla notes mingle with tender spice towards the creamy and sweet finish. The finish is medium long, sweet, fruity and velvety with sticky apricot jam and acacia honey in the aftertaste. A superb mouthfeel.
Comments: An intense whisky with lots of influence from the bourbon cask. Tons of tropical fruits and vanilla smoothness with a glorious taste sensation and a very satisfying finish. A sweet and well balanced whisky that I enjoyed very much. Eminently potable with a dash of water that helps to tame the incredible warmth of this malt and to underline the fruity, sweet and tender spicy flavours. A well crafted dram.

 

I thank Joe Seidel from Joe’s Malt Shop for dipping the dog for me.


The Balvenie 14yo, Caribbean Cask
ABV: 43%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Traditional Oak Casks, Finish in Caribbean Rum Casks

 

Colour: Amber.
Nose: Rich aroma with rum and big tropical fruits, namely passion fruit, banana, and peach, combined with creamy toffee and crème brûlée. The typical honeyed fruits of the distillery emerge with golden syrup, lingering vanilla and a touch of mint. Amazingly alternating layers of flavours.
Palate: Rich and unctuous! Ripe tropical fruits, apples, and a whiff of orange peel combined with sweet vanilla, delicate oak spice, caramelised ginger and cinnamon. Creamy, gentle and well layered.
Finish: The finish is long, sweet, and lingering with a soft vanilla focussed character. A rich concentrated fruitiness that then gives way to a slightly dry oak. Extremely satisfying.
With water: On the nose, water tames the tropical fruitiness and slightly increases the spicy character. The spiciness becomes prominent on the palate, pushing the sweet tropical fruitiness into the background. The finish is long, warm and spicy with sweet vanilla on the tail.
Comments: This is very Balvenie with a significant tropical impact. A rich and very well balanced dram which has taken some exotic and sensuous notes from the rum. Smooth, honeyed character with added toffee, exotic fruit and warm and lingering spices. A beautiful flavour filled experience, and definitely a whisky to add to the collection. A great value for money!


The Balvenie 14yo, 1996-2011, Warehouse No. 24
ABV: 59.5%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Sherry Butt (#4686, 20cl bottle-no. 184)

 

Colour: Dark amber.
Nose: The nose starts off with big sherry flavours and typical fruity aromas of dried dates, figs and raisins. Deep and rich. Lots of dark chocolate and coffee notes emerge, complemented by tender soy sauce and a not unpleasant whiff of sulphur. Complex oak and tannins mingle with a hint of smoke towards a slightly dry end. Very impressive!
Palate: Strong sherry aromas, fine-textured and sweet with liquorice and dried fruits. A massive load of spices arrive with oak, cloves, nutmeg and lots of slightly astringent tannins, layered with a richness of dark chocolate, coffee beans and tobacco leaves. A bold and warm, even hot mouthfeel.
Finish: Very long and nicely warm. Lingering spices – nutmeg, cloves and oak, dark chocolate and slightly bitter cocoa are drying towards the very end. A satisfying finish!
With water: Water significantly tames the spiciness on the nose bringing delicate and round sherry flavours and a very nice sweetness of dried fruits to the fore. Round, smooth and harmonious on the palate. The warm and bold spiciness is well balanced with the lingering fruitiness and a delicate sweet note of acacia honey. The finish is still long, warm and sweet, with less spices and lingering nutty notes on the tail. A glorious finish.
Comments: This beauty was bottled by myself on October 10th, 2011 during my visit at The Balvenie. It is a big sherry bomb. Sherry shines through all the way with great elegance and complexity. Eventually a little too long in the cask with loads of sherry and slightly astringent tannins, but I enjoyed every sip. A dash of water may help to balance the fruity, sweet and spicy flavours. A memorable dram after a great distillery tour.


The Balvenie 17yo, DoubleWood
ABV: 43%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Barrels and European Oak Sherry Casks

 

Colour: Deep amber.
Nose: Deep and rich, with lots of vanilla, delicate Acacia honey, and dark ripe fruit - blackcurrant in particular. Elegant and complex oak and liquorice spice mingle with lingering marzipan, cinnamon, red berry juice and a touch of malt.
Palate: Bold, fine-textured and sweet with dried fruits and red berries. Massive spices arrive with marzipan, cinnamon and oak, layered with a richness of creamy vanilla, toasted almonds and a hint of cocoa. A velvety and warm mouthfeel.
Finish: The finish is long and gentle with notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and Acacia honey. Creamy and spicy sweetness with smooth cinnamon lingering towards the end. A glorious finish!
With water: Water tames a bit the richness of this dram in the nose with vanilla, red fruit and toffee being the main flavours here. On the palate there's a creamy sweetness with honey, vanilla, gooseberry and delicate spice - cinnamon, marzipan and crisp oak. The finish shows medium length with fruity and honeyed sweetness, turning into a slightly dry and warming end.
Comments: The elder sibling to DoubleWood 12yo shares its honeyed and spicy characteristics, but shows more depth and complexity. The 5 more years give it extra richness without being overpowered by the oak. There's deeper vanilla notes, red berries fruit, creamy toffee and more intriguing spice which make it a truly memorable dram. Exceptionally smooth with an outstanding finish. It's the significant price difference to the famous 12 year old expression why this excellent Balvenie polarises the whisky community.

 

I thank Joe Seidel from Joe's Malt Shop for sample and photograph!


The Balvenie 14yo, Golden Cask
ABV: 47.5%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Traditional Oak Casks, Finish in Caribbean Rum Casks

 

Colour: Bright gold.
Nose: The nose starts off with delicate vanilla and orange blossom honey, complemented by pleasant rum notes. Fruity aromas arrive with orange, gooseberry and grape scents. Hints of cinnamon and a whiff of spicy oak in the back. Very accessible.
Palate: Very sweet start on the palate with custard, orange blossom honey and gentle apricot jam. This is complemented by spicy oak, white pepper and lingering cinnamon. Very warm and complex. Slices of baked apples arrive with subtle raisins and a whiff of sweet rum towards the finish.
Finish: The finish shows good length with a delicate creamy sweetness of yellow fruits and honey. Warm and slightly dry with pleasant and prickling oak on the tail. Very satisfying.
With water: On the nose, water brings even more creamy vanilla and apples to the fore with a delicate citrus note and lots of orange blossom honey. A dash of water reduces the sweetness slightly, reveals an attractive spiciness in the mouth and introduces a subtle chocolate note towards the finish. The finish is medium long, sweet with a whiff of citrus and prickling oak and cinnamon.
Comments: A well balanced dram with depth and texture. The rum cask intensifies the typical Balvenie notes of sweet fruit and lingering honey and introduces rich and intense spices and gentle chocolate notes. A beautiful composition of delicious flavours give this one a perfect dessert whisky. Warming, exotic and very enjoyable.

 

I thank Joe Seidel from Joe's Malt Shop for the sample!


The Balvenie 15yo, 2015, Single Barrel, Sherry Cask
ABV: 47.8%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Sherry Cask (#17926, no more than 650 btl.)

 

Colour: Reddish amber.
Nose: Rich aromas of sherry, candied fruit and Demerara sugar. Rum soaked raisins arrive with notes of almonds, Christmas cake and toffee. Hints of walnuts and subtle oak in the back. Mouth-watering!
Palate: Lots of sherry influence here: concentrated dried fruits, Demerara sugar and some biscuit, complemened by an intensive and warming spiciness of toasted oak, cinnamon and nutmeg. Delicate notes of chocolate covered raisins emerge with slightly bitter orange peel and lingering walnuts towards the finish. Well balanced with depth and texture.
Finish: The finish shows medium length with a delicate creamy sweetness of dried fruits and raisins. Slightly dry with pleasant walnut flavours on the tail. Very satisfying.
With water: Water brings even more sherry-derived flavours and sugar sweetness to the fore. Well balanced with lots of delicate spices - toasted oak, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and a whiff of smoke in the back. Deliciously sweet on the palate. A huge amount of sherry, raisins, and Demerara sugar mingle with a wonderful spiciness and delicate cinnamon. The finish is long, sugary sweet with candied dried fruit and prickling oak spice on the tongue. Amazing!
Comments: A very well balanced sherried single cask bottling from Balvenie. The sherry influence conveys a delicate fruitiness, richness and elegance. An amazingly great whisky with a beautiful composition of pleasant flavours. I am fully convinced by this single cask bottling.

 

I thank Markus Heinze (Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich in Germany) for the sample and Campari Deutschland GmbH for the photograph!


The Balvenie 25yo, 1989-2015, Single Barrel, Traditional Oak
ABV: 47.8%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Refill American Oak (#1864, 300 btl.)

 

Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Soft and sweet. Lots of ripe tropical fruit, banana, mirabelles, gooseberries and lingering vanilla. Fresh and complex. With time, delicious notes of acacia honey develop with hints of almonds and subtle oak in the back.
Palate: Very delicate with soft layers of flavour. Plenty of tropical fruit, banana, plums and custard, immediately followed by a bold and intense spiciness of pepper, oak and subtle cinnamon. Pleasantly warming and creamy with dark honey and orange peel towards the finish. Nicely balanced with depth and texture.
Finish: The finish is very long and warm with vibrant oak and delicate sweet and sticky honey on the tongue. Gets a bit dry with slowly fading oak spice on the tail. Very satisfying.
With water: Water brings even more tropical fruit to the fore. Well balanced with vanilla and spice. Very sweet and fruity on the palate with significantly less spice and a nice mix of custard and honey sweetness. The finish is still long, warm and sweet with slightly dry oak. Amazing!
Comments: A very well made single cask bottling from Balvenie. Nicely complex with lots of tropical fruit and sweetness, nicely balanced by the spiciness of the wood. A bit shy, however, a few drops of water perfectly underline the delicate layers of flavours of this beauty. Apart from the price this is a very sophisticated malt.

 

I thank Markus Heinze (Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich in Germany) for the sample and Campari Deutschland GmbH for the photograph!


The Balvenie Tun 1401, Batch No. 2, 2011 Release
ABV: 50.6%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: 7 Bourbon Casks and 3 Sherry Butts (2,226 btl.)

 

Colour: Deep amber.
Nose: The nose starts off with rich aromas of sherry, raisins and winterly spices - cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon - along with a touch of polished furniture. This is nicely balanced with vanilla, tropical fruit, orange peel, bees wax and herbal honey. With time, hay and flowery notes come through with gentle odour of rose petals in the back.
Palate: Smooth and soft, velvety mouth-coating. The spices, mainly ginger, nutmeg and white pepper, build up gently with tropical fruit, raisins and luscious oranges. Acacia honey and custard nicely mingle with a touch of chocolate, walnut and slightly bitter citrus peel. Dries slowly towards the finish. Nicely balanced with depth and texture.
Finish: The long, warm and spicy finish offers luscious oranges and sweet, raisinous flavours. Dry and gentle spicy with lingering oak, chocolate and marzipan slowly fading away. Very pleasant and satisfying.
With water: Water tames a bit the delicate fruitiness both on the nose and palate, bringing more of the spicy character of the oak to the fore. Very creamy and soft on the palate with a perfect balance of sherry-derived fruit, vanilla, oranges and spices. The finish is long, sweet and dry with a spicy edge. Amazing!
Comments: A stunning second batch of Balvenie's Tun 1401. This one has power and a lot of complexity. The versatile aromas of the sherry and bourbon casks demonstrate a superb balance with the spiciness of this gorgeous batch. A drop of water perfectly combines this delicate layers of flavours. Beautifully composed Mr. Stewart!


The Balvenie 30yo, Thirty, 2011 Release, Distillery Bottling
ABV: 47.3%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Traditional Oak Casks and European Oak Sherry Casks

 

Colour: Deep amber.
Nose: The bouquet offers rich sherry flavours with dark ripe fruit, black cherries and raisins. This is deliciously dominated by marzipan and gentle toffee, followed by surprisingly smooth oak and allspice. Intense with a wonderful depth and complexity.
Palate: Strong and rich flavours of sherry, raisins and Christmas cake. Intense and spicy with allspice, caramelised ginger and tender oak. Luscious plum arrives with lingering marzipan, burnt toffee and dark chocolate in the back. Great balance with depth and texture.
Finish: Quite long, deliciously sweet and fruity with delicate toffee and lingering marzipan in the back. Dry and gentle spicy with oaky tones slowly fading away. Simply superb!
With water: Water tames the fruitiness both on the nose and palate, bringing the spicy character of the wood to the fore. There's more marzipan and Christmas spice coming through on the palate with a long, toffee sweet and dry finish.
Comments: A fantastic whisky with beautifully combined flavours. Very well balanced, rich and sophisticated. A malt that retains a truly impressive complexity and charm without any dominance of the wood. The ultimate dessert dram. Best neat!