Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask 15 Year

Cask 4196, Bottle 235 47.8 ABV Immediately upon tasting, there's a buttery popcorn note intertwined throughout,...which might be the sole distinguishing characteristic of this particular sherry-forward scotch. If you told a friend this is good scotch; the silky entry that flows into the swell of effervescent, bitter, astringency, is peculiar enough to help support your claim. It's sophisticated in price and experience, but it's too costly for the latter. Don't challenge me, but I have a 'hunch' that for $50 less, you can achieve 90-95% of the quality. While single barrel bottling isn't typically something I crave, the trade-off for ABV, exclusivity, and price all elevate this above the mass market offerings. For what my opinion is worth: this is a gift for a father-in-law (impressive, with little else justifying it beyond the price tag) and not something I intend to repurchase once it's gone. I'm glad it's good. 5.0 - go out and purchase all available stock. 4.0 - must buy at least one bottle before you die. 3.0 - solid, must try at a bar, or get someone else to buy it. 2.0 - didn't enjoy it, you might. 1.0 - you might have the palate of my dog, and he licks himself.

I was so impressed with the special peated offering that I was eager to try their dedicated sherry cask. I'm a huge fan of sherried scotch, with Glendronich being the best in my opinion. Can Balvenie achieve this again... yes, they certainly can. While it's not quite on the level of GD18, it's absolutely fantastic. A total sherry bomb that tastes much older than stated; I would have guessed 18-21 years due to its refinement. The nose of a neat pour with a drop is outstanding. Deep, rich dark fruits overwhelm the senses. Black cherry, prune, dates, blackberry, along with a dose of malt and barrel wood. The spice is well-controlled; this is a gentle experience. The mouthfeel is a bit thin, but the flavors are strong. It has blended heavy fruits, some light spice, and oaky malt from the nose, with a bit of numbing sensation. It's very soothing and comforting without interfering tannic or sulfur notes. The finish is a lasting fruity malt and toasty oak with a cooling menthol sensation. Delicious, with the lightly honeyed Balvenie new make spirit signature present throughout. I'm still in the Glendronich camp, but this is an easy recommendation if you're a sherry enthusiast. I paid $110 and think it's worth it... 93/100... a wonderful scotch with strong drinkability. You look up and half the bottle is gone.

It has a burnt orange hue, but it's not as dark as some other sherry-finished scotch; this likely indicates the use of second-fill rather than first-fill sherry casks. The sherry influence on the nose is more restrained and focused than a "sherry bomb," presenting aromas of dates, dried apricots, pomander, and vanilla, with a subtle peat undertone, reminiscent of a Balvenie. The entry is strong, with the 95.6 proof exceeding expectations. The viscous, almost oily midpalate reveals notes of dark chocolate and dried cherries, followed by white pepper and a slightly tannic oaky bitterness at the back end, where the 95.6 proof makes its presence felt again. The finish is long, with noticeable vanilla. The overall impression is akin to a tightly wound Cabernet Sauvignon that requires significant aging to soften and open up, though that isn't applicable here. Each bottling comes from a single cask, with fewer than 800 bottles produced, so variations can occur (the note refers to bottle #67 from cask 9008). Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Immediately, this whisky offers notes of ripe red berries, specifically strawberry and raspberry, with a depth reminiscent of strawberry shortcake. A subtle warmth emerges, a blend of cinnamon and clove, akin to spiced cider. The taste is superb, fulfilling the aroma's promise. It features rich fruitcake, spicy cinnamon and oak, with ripe raspberries and blackberries. A faint floral hint is also present, all grounded by an almond-like nuttiness, evoking walnut husks. It's wonderfully rich and intricate. The finish begins with spice, transitioning into pleasant oak and nut notes. It's of medium length, with a mild dryness and pleasant tannins. Overall, this whisky earns excellent ratings. Its richness makes it less ideal for hot weather, which is my sole critique. This spirit and Thanksgiving are a match made in heaven. I'd happily enjoy this throughout the winter!

This is enjoyable. I had a darker version where the sherry was very prominent. Update: I finally acquired a bottle for just over $100 and was excited. After spending more time with it, I was considering lowering the rating slightly. It still has a lovely, thick mouthfeel typical of Balvenie, lingering on the palate. However, it's almost excessively sherry-forward, with little else developing beneath it. The reason I maintained the rating is that it excels at what it does, even if it makes me a bit indifferent. For those seeking a good sherried Speyside with a decent proof, age statement, and solid underlying malt, what else is there really? It's thicker than Aberlour and Glendronach, and much better and less expensive than Macallan. I just wish the sherry would dial back a bit for better balance. The Balvenie spirit has enough character; it doesn't need to be overwhelmed.

This is my top pick from The Balvenie so far. Aged 15 years, it offers dark cherries, caramel, honey, and pomegranate on the nose. The palate has a perfect viscosity, coating the mouth like it coats the glass, starting with dark cherry and finishing with honey and malt on the back of the palate, making for an extremely pleasant experience. The finish is of ideal length, with dark fruits still detectable two minutes later. It's truly delightful. I've looked everywhere for first-fill bottles without success, but I finally found one that was likely aged in a very capable barrel. It's almost as dark as another expression I have, and I'm eager to open a Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 4, which has a high standard to meet to surpass this. Personally, I'd choose this daily over Macallan 18.