Tastes

March 31st 2018 Tasted this on holidays on a balmy evening in Tenerife. I found it initially to be very sweet and sherried. Probably a 3.5 stars on this outing.

April 1st 2018 Tasted on a warm evening in Tenerife after a dram of the Glenlivet distillers reserve. This is a lovely sherried scotch with raisins and old wood on the nose. Hope to enjoy it more.

Mar 2018 Third dram had on a wintry St. Patrick's Day while watching United vs Brighton in the FA cup. Tasted after a Powers Gold Label and a disappointing Jameson Crested Ten. This grew on me the more I drank it. Added water and a bit more time in the glass improved it. I would say it deserves a 3. Just.

Mar 2017 A snowy St. Paddy's Day and I tasted this while watching United vs Brighton in the FA cup. I was expecting much more from a whiskey rated highly here. It is hot and peppery but a tiny step above a regular Jameson. Rating it a 2.5.

May 2018 Given the 52.9% ABV, a deep sniff overloaded on alcohol fumes. With a bit of water and time the nose was heather and orange but after several more minutes I convinced myself that I got a whiff of wet dog. The sherry influence is apparent on the palate and there is a spicy bitterness at the end.

So far The Balvenie are a bit like Richard Linklater for me - a safe pair of hands and usually can be relied on to deliver the goods (and it seems Everybody Wants Some). First tasted (ahem, Before Midnight) after a Glenfiddich 15yo Solera and a Scapa. I was impressed but the longer I drank it the more I thought it had a cloying sweetness. Perhaps this was in comparison to the Scapa which, while sweet enough, had a maritime saltiness. In any event, in later samplings I didn't get that over-sweetness. It had a pleasant smell of chocolate, candied fruits, baileys cream, and a bit of fresh sawdust (oak?). A light, spicy taste with clove and orange mainly registering. No real need for water - only a sparing drop or two. The finish was on the short side. Four stars. Looking forward to my unopened Single Barrel 15 year old.

May 2018 When I initially tasted this I thought it was a bit like the Balvenie 12yo Doublewood but subsequent visits have dampened that impression. It has a fruity (pear) aroma and the palate is also fruity but mild, with a sharper (but not overlong) aftertaste. A 3 to 3.5 stars is what I'd pitch it and, once finished, not one I'd return to.

Jan 2018 Had in Letterkenny after a JD and then a Glenfiddich 14 Rich Oak. A class apart from those. A blissful "ah, yes" moment when you realise a genuine match for your tastes. Beautiful in comparison because it has so much more going on than the sweetness of the prior two. The nose was familiar and reminded me of visits to relatives in an old Achill Island cottage - turf and salty air. Wonderfully transporting!

Dec 2017 Gentle, light colour and the nose is medicinal (iodine?) with a touch of subtle, light smoke. On this initial outing this could be the lovechild of the Balvenie 12 Doublewood and Lagavulin 16. After 20 mins in glass it smells musky like I would describe the Balvenie. The taste is sharp initially then opens out to a Lagavulin-like brine with a similar long finish that rounds out to sweetness and mint. 4.5 for now but could see a time when it is raised! Lovely!

Dec 2017 Such a change after tasting a Balvenie Doublewood 12yo. Tasted while watching United vs WestBrom (delayed) in late December. It was the second dram after the Balvenie. Initial nose was cereal and grainy alcohol but this may have been overemphasised by the contrast with the more complex nose of the scotch. After settling into it the nose is light and faintly sweet and the cereal remains. The taste is very acceptable - sweet and easy with a fairly short finish. Probably a 3.