** Disclaimer: This review is what I would consider a “Quick Hit”- meaning I won’t have my usual in-depth notes that I usually like to take. The reason: this sample was poured at Whiskyfest DC on 4/17/18. All of these reviews will not be scored and I am actively looking to try them again at some point to do them more justice. This sample has to slide over into the disappointing column of my Whiskyfest list because I was completely expected to be blown away and I wasn’t. It didn’t seem as complex or as smooth as it should’ve been. The port notes didn’t come through (could’ve been my palate beginning to get fatigued) and it seemed rather harsh for a Balvenie AND 21 years old. I have a bottle of this one sitting here at home so I will be looking to redeem this one because there are just too many great reviews of it for it to be as low as I would’ve scored it based on Whiskyfest alone. Also, boo to the Balvenie reps for being so stingy with the pours. Especially with the 21 being a non-VIP pour. A little over a 1/4oz (maybe) wasn’t worth standing in line for. They also short poured the Peat Week during the VIP hour, but that was a fantastic malt- more to come on that one.