In 2017, my Batch 3 review ended with a mere 91-point score, which could get me kneecapped in some whisky circles. Today I will review Batch 5. While not as lauded as some of the other batches (I'm looking at you #3), it is still a Tun 1401. As per a now-404ed official page, its ingredients were...
"......4 sherry butts distilled in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975 and 5 American oak casks from 1966, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1991......"
...which makes one of the batches with the highest ratio of sherry casks. Had the mix not included the 1991, Batch 5 would have been a 36 or 37 year old whisky. Having received the full details on a different batch's casks, I have no doubt that at least one of the 40+ year old casks in #5 had dropped below 40%abv. That's not a problem for me if the end result is delicious.
pic source |
Ownership: William Grant & Sons
Region: Speyside (Dufftown)
Region: Speyside (Dufftown)
Age and Maturation: see notes above
Outturn: 2862 700mL bottles
Release Year: 2012
Release Year: 2012
Exclusive to: Europe
Alcohol by Volume: 50.1%
(from a purchased sample)
NOTES
The nose begins with old musty casks in a damp dunnage, ocean brine, raw hazelnuts, and raw walnuts. Figs, eucalyptus, and very dark chocolate materialize after 30 minutes. Hints of guava and toffee arrive near the 45 minute-mark.
The palate starts off much more savory and salty than I'd expected. Very dry sherry, like manzanilla perhaps? Dunnage, tart limes, and jalapeño oil fill the middle. And in the back, surprising notes of tar and kiln keep returning.
It finishes with a note-perfect mix of citrus (grapefruit and blood orange) and sea salt, with Brazil nuts and kiln smoke lingering even longer.
WORDS WORDS WORDS
No dilution for this one. Sorry folks. This was bottled at an excellent drinking strength, and I've gleefully taken advantage of that. Because I find myself preferring the Amontillado and Manzanilla side of the sherry spectrum, this batch hits all the right spots on the palate. Figs + guava + dunnage on the nose? Yes.
At the end of this long day, I've paired this Tun with my beloved 33yo Bunnahabhain, and the experience has made for a lovely personal celebration of my younger daughter's birthday. Though I'm sorry to say the Tun 1509s just can't compete with the 1401s, I do hope Balvenie's current and future blenders can catch the Stewart magic someday. Having pristine 37 year old casks on hand would probably help.