Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood Bottled 2000s

Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood

Nose #1: Strangely, right after first pour, a whiff of stale next-day beer: That can't be right! Let's let it breath-- Good, it subsides. Nose #2: Then anise comes in, as a tingly oak spice. (I think this is what some call pine.) Straw and heather develop, and the anise is joined by nutmeg. I was anticipating allspice or honey, but it is...

Score 68/100

Balvenie 15 Year Old

Nose: Anjou pear, wild onion, honey comb, slight hints of Pappy Van Winkle 20, summer air down by the deserted railroad tracks in summertime near the Willamette River when your nose is young and keen, your blood is flowing strong, and your whole life is ahead of you, along with fossils to be dug in the flakey sandstone on both sides of you, with a...

Score 88/100

Balvenie 17 Year Old Rum Cask Finish

One more sample from Master of Malt Drinks by the Dram. I love The Balvenie, and have enjoyed nearly all of the expressions from their range. This is one of their 17yr old finished whiskies, which are not cheap (>$115/bottle). The Balvenie 17yr Old Rum Cask is bottled at 43% ABV. Nose: Oh, that is heaven! SO complex! The first notes I am...

Score 90/100

Balvenie 21 Year Old Port Wood Finish

Nose: Sweet nectar, honey, and warm goodness. Absolute delight. Soft candy, toffee, and a slight port (that's not surprising, huh?) aroma. I could nose this whisky all night long, except that its taste is even better! Coming back after a taste, I pick up gardenia, and other aromatic floral notes. Body: Soft body, almost delicate. Light and...

Score 98/100