Balvenie Portwood 21 Year

The Balvenie Portwood is a beautiful marriage of casks age 21 years in ex-bourbon barrels and finished for an additional period in port pipes. The port adds a sumptuous layer of fruit and sweetness to complement the more traditional earthy/smokey scotch undertones. This expression is medium bodied and perfectly executed with an incredibly smooth finish that makes me longing for more. I love this!

At first a little underwhelming. With time in the glass it grew on me. Nose is light, refined and subtle with red fruits, red berries, butterscotch, butter cookies, raisins, baking spices, oak notes. Same notes follow on the palate, which is a bit grungy, and medium length finish. Forget what @Stephanie_Moreno says about sharing, I’m going to drink this all myself! Bottle kill 3-1-25 While I thoroughly enjoyed this bottle and I normally do not enter price into my rating equation, it is insanity to ask $250+ for this bottle. I can find much more compelling whisky for less than $100.

This is a tasty dram. However……The port finish covers up a bit much of the 21 year old distillate. A little water helps to bring out the older character but still, the port finish dominates the experience.