Balvenie Peat Week 14 Year (2003 Edition)

A greener peat bomb on the nose than most Islays which allows that toasty American oak to share the stage. Notes of candied almond, plum and butterscotch are in there too but socially distanced. Velvety and luscious like a perfectly ripe avocado on the way in but quickly gives way to some spice and Sichuan heaven pepper heat as the campfire finds some oxygen. Green but smokey slow charred oak lingers in the corner as pineapple and salty pretzel exit the party together slowly and definitely less than 6’ apart.

Sweet with grassy notes. Peaty but not overwhelmingly so. Smooth finish that lingers.

The Balvenie Peat Week 2003 Color: straw N: flowers in the summer, smoked fatty meats, moss, sweet coconut, honey and earth. I want to say there’s an under ripe fruit in there too but I’m not finding what it is. P: oily mouth coating feeling with green bananas, bitter chocolate almost cocoa, ash, moss and earth. It’s a little salty under ripe pears touch at the end. F: soft, long and wonderful. Hints of the green banana and salt lingers with a faint hint of bitter chocolate. I remember this being good but damn, it is good. 91