PBMichiganWolverine
Balvenie Founders Reserve Cognac bottle
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
May 26, 2022 (edited July 3, 2022)
I had a small taste while pouring out samples for our tasting with @Richard-ModernDrinking @ctbeck11 and @pkingmartin
This is incredibly rare, early 80s Balvenie 10 yr old. I don’t have the slightest clue on why they have this in a cognac bottle shape, but I’m guessing it was because back in the early 80s, cognac was all the rage. Did Balvenie think so little of the consumer that he/she would pick this up accidentally thinking it’s cognac?
Anyway—-I don’t think this can be found anymore, except in auctions. My bottle was purchased over 15 years ago, but decided to dig it out for our tasting. Now, I don’t think any shops have this, but it’ll show up probably in secondary ( not sure of todays price, and I can’t remember what I paid 15 yrs ago ).
I need to preface this that I’m not really a fan of Balvenie , as I am of say Lagavulin, Springbank or those whiskeys that are more in-your-face. This is delicate. It’s light, with aromas of apple juice, soft oak and ginger. Nose is amazing, and for me that took this from mediocre to pretty good score. Very elegant in the aroma. Taste is a step down—vanilla, white grapes.
It’s good—-but for me, I’m just not a Balvenie fan ( only one of theirs I really liked was the Tun series ). So, my score may not really be reflective of how good, or not, this is. But I’m really appreciative of trying something so rare.
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In the 1970s and 80s Balvenie used a variety of bottle shapes, including a dumpy bottle like Glenfarclas, a flask-shape not unlike a Dalmore bottle, a cylindrical shape like modern Port Charlotte and others. The shape they chose for the Founders Reserve just happened to be a cognac/wine bottle style. Considering it says "Scotch Whisky" in big letters at the top of the label I don't think they were trying to trick anyone. They actually produced this for a long time and used the cognac bottle through the 80s and only gave it up when they started bottling everything in the contemporary "Balvenie" style bottle in the 90s.
@pkingmartin personally, I didn’t think it broke that trend. I do admit though, the nose is amazing and elegant. For me, it fell apart on the palette. The only Balvenie I fondly recall were the Tun 1409 series…which now go for $1000+. Their 14yr Peat Week is really good as well, and was under $100. But, I guess the rarity factor in this makes up for the palette.
@PBMichiganWolverine I’m also really looking forward to tasting this little piece of history. I’ve found most Balvenie products to be enjoyable yet forgettable, but never bad. I’m hopeful this will break that trend, but my expectations have been lowered after reading your review.
@ctbeck11 I think you’ll enjoy that Lagavulin 18yr Feis Ile I’ll be including. That’s more up my alley — potent, but elegant enough with the age
@Richard-ModernDrinking just read your review. Coincidentally you found the nose really good as well. For me, that was the highlight.
Looking forward to trying this piece of history. Similar to you, I haven’t been blow away by any Balvenies I’ve tasted in the past. Then again, I haven’t had a bad one either. They’ve all be pleasant and largely forgettable.
Looking forward to revisiting this. I previously reviewed here: Check out this taste of Balvenie Founder's Reserve 10 Year by Richard-ModernDrinking on Distiller! https://distiller.com/tastes/835955