PBMichiganWolverine
Balvenie Single Barrel 15 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
May 11, 2017 (edited September 22, 2018)
We're now starting round 2 of our little sample sharing team here, and one of my offerings is this Balvenie. Of course, when I opened the bottle to share, I poured myself a wee dram as well. Balvenie is one of those that stays pretty straight and narrow in its lane, and won't give you a mind blowing challenge. This is the sweet girl-next-door that you can bring home to mom, and be assured that she won't say anything that'll get her blacklisted. As opposed to an Ardbeg or Lagavulin girl, who will be wild and unpredictable, with highly inappropriate things to say. Tasting notes: honey, lavender, and heather...through and through. This is a rich and elegant. Manuka honey ( Soba...you're a Kiwi...you'll understand), with fragrant lavender, all wrapped around a field of heather. This is the bottle you give as a gift to your in-laws, boss, or anyone you want to impress, but also stay relatively safe from wild flavors. You can't wrong with this, but don't go expecting a whirlwind of challenges. What it does, it does damn well. Girl next door you can bring home to mom.
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@ScotchingHard the 1401 is incredible. The 1509 isn’t as good, but still great in its right.
@PBMichiganWolverine nice review. I feel this one used to be much better a few years back. It’s still better than the 17 and 21 standard releases. 1401 TUN here, depending on the batch will run you $900-1500. 1509 is $300-500
Sounds pretty incredible @PBMichiganWolverine - would love this as a gift from the in-laws :)
Great review, girl-next-door indeed, and definitely a redhead. Balvenie is one of those whiskies I can depend on for a "tune out" moment. I inevitably seem to pour a dram, pick up a book and then half an hour later wonder why the Glencairn is empty.
@SolanaRoots. I think so---and it's a broad range from a basic 12 yr old to a 21 yr old port wood, and now even a mildly peated version
Great review. In general, I think Balvenie offerings appeal to a wide audience (at least from my experience) & are rather enjoyable. Cheers
Lee: that outstanding Balvenie is the Tun 1401 series. Was about $200 when it came out. Not sure now.
I keep hoping that one day I will find an outstanding Balvenie that will change my impression of them. I'm glad you are providing a sample of one I think will be better than most. Great review, Pranay. Cheers, my friend.
While you were out with the girl next door, I was partying with that Lagavulin girl from the other side of the tracks. Your sample is ready to go. Hope this Balvenie doesn't disappoint me like the 12 year old double wood did
Yeah the whole Manuka thing is starting to take off here (in a small way). There is the Waitui whisky - 6 years of aging in old Manuka honey mead barrels...way to sweet for me, and also the Thomsons Manuka smoked whisky (progress report) using Manuka wood. It's a bit young and roughish but definitely interesting with potential
As long as you're sharing, I'll try the Lagavulin girl. :)