Balvenie Madeira Cask 21 Year

Wow...its like pure honey mead or dessert ice wine. In fact if someone told me it was the latter I'd believe them. The 40% helps but still it's like I'm not even drinking whiskey. Bit of nutmeg, spice, vanilla, white grape/wine and more. Very interesting dram. I was thinking after drinking a raft of average drams my palate was off but now it just doesn't tolerate mediocrity that well anymore. I had rinsed out my glass prior but this tolerates zero water so I thoroughly dried and had another pour and was rewarded further. 4.25 - 4.5. Now I wouldn't say its 5 territory as its missing at least 6% abv and whilst complex it's not 5 level. Also it feels its a bit too refined to mass market duty free level. Plus I wouldn't pay $220 USD a bottle. Balvanie is moving up to my top 10 distillers.

Nose: Apple, kiwi and orange are soon joined by creamier vanilla notes, rounded wood spices and a touch of pepper. Inviting. Palate: Superb balance of fruit, oak and barley. Fruit Salads develop, frangipane too, hints of cape gooseberry and finally soft caramel. Finish: Grapefruit and caramel tart. Nuttier with a wisp of smoke on further sips, but never fully losing that touch of juicy fruit.