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| NOT THE VERSION being reviewed today (source) |
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| Low res image of the actual bottle reviewed! |
This sample came to me thanks to a Southern California Whiskey Club event. I was unable to attend, but I happily bought samples.
Distillery: Balvenie
Ownership: William Grant & Sons
Region: Speyside (Dufftown)
Type: Single Malt
Region: Speyside (Dufftown)
Type: Single Malt
Age: minimum 10 years
Maturation: ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, married
Alcohol by Volume: 43%
Bottling year: 2008 or earlier
Chillfiltered? Likely
Color added? Not much, if so
The nose starts out very peachy. There's a little odd meaty note in the background that disappears after a few minutes. Then clean linens, strawberry bubblegum, and toasted grains. Vanilla ice cream and apple peels. Hints of toffee and coconut cream.
The palate is very focused: caramel, honey, milk chocolate, and Triscuits. After twenty minutes there are small toasted oak notes and roasted nuts.
The finish is all toasted coconut, caramel, roasted almonds, and a tiny bit of vanilla.
It's a candy bar. The nose is fruity and more complex but the palate is clear as day. It often feels older than its 10 years, so perhaps David Stewart snuck in some older lower ABV casks. The weird note on the nose didn't bother because it vanished so quickly. Otherwise, it's basically a simple flawless dessert whisky. And it's a damn shame this whisky no longer exists. In my next post, I'll take a gander at what replaced The Founder's Reserve.
Availability - Secondary market
Pricing - ???
Rating - 86
Bottling year: 2008 or earlier
Chillfiltered? Likely
Color added? Not much, if so
The nose starts out very peachy. There's a little odd meaty note in the background that disappears after a few minutes. Then clean linens, strawberry bubblegum, and toasted grains. Vanilla ice cream and apple peels. Hints of toffee and coconut cream.
The palate is very focused: caramel, honey, milk chocolate, and Triscuits. After twenty minutes there are small toasted oak notes and roasted nuts.
The finish is all toasted coconut, caramel, roasted almonds, and a tiny bit of vanilla.
It's a candy bar. The nose is fruity and more complex but the palate is clear as day. It often feels older than its 10 years, so perhaps David Stewart snuck in some older lower ABV casks. The weird note on the nose didn't bother because it vanished so quickly. Otherwise, it's basically a simple flawless dessert whisky. And it's a damn shame this whisky no longer exists. In my next post, I'll take a gander at what replaced The Founder's Reserve.
Availability - Secondary market
Pricing - ???
Rating - 86
