Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 5

Does anyone else remember the first Batman movie released in theaters, possibly in 1988? I was young then, but I was incredibly excited to see it. My friends and I would spend our days skateboarding and discussing nothing but saving up to see Batman. We'd plan our entire day around it: first, playing video games (specifically Street Fighter) at the arcade, then watching Batman, followed by ice cream sundaes with root beer floats while discussing the movie. We'd save for weeks to afford it. Yes... that was our idealized perfect day. Now, imagine that nearly perfect day and transpose it onto what your ideal whiskey would taste like. It would likely lean towards a classic sherry-matured, regal Macallan or Balvenie, or an elegant smoky one like an older Lagavulin or Ardbeg. If real life didn't involve mortgages, taxes, and living expenses, you'd also plan on saving up for it and making a whole event out of opening it, perhaps for your wedding day, the birth of a child, or your child's wedding. This is one of those whiskeys. At the current prices well over $1000, it's not something I'd casually purchase during a shopping trip. In fact, I'd never buy it. However, I signed up for an online tasting event where this was featured (the event is tomorrow, but I couldn't wait, so I had a few sips). This is a blend of 5 bourbon casks (1966, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975) and 4 sherry casks (1970, 1971, 1972, 1975). The components are old and austere. They were aged together for a few months before bottling. The nose is incredible – beeswax and honey, with polished oak. The taste is a step up from the nose: fruity, leathery, reminiscent of old books in a library, with notes of plum. Amazing. This is simply blending perfection. When it was initially released at $200, it was a bargain. Now, I believe it costs between $1200 and $2000. My sample was less than 3 cl, but it was thoroughly memorable.

Exceptional, I prefer this to Tun 1509 Batch 1, as it offers a heightened profile of dark and tropical flavors. The casks were filled between 1966 and 1991, with seven of them filled in the 1970s; the youngest whisky here is 21 years old. Nose: Raisins, Dates, Figs, Pineapples, Mangoes, Papayas, Passion Fruit, Toffee, Honey, Walnut Banana Bread, Coconuts, Coffee, Cinnamon, Hazelnuts, Nutmeg, Chili, Oranges, Guavas. Palate: Vanilla, Raisins, Honey, Toffee, Coconuts, Almonds, Shortbread Cookies, Oranges, Walnuts, Cherries, Pineapples, Mangoes, Papayas, Figs, Leather, Licorice, Cloves, Tobacco. Finish: Raisins, Figs, Dates, Dark Chocolate, Toffee, Honey, Bananas, Sultanas, Sour Cherries, Pineapples, Mangoes, Prunes.

Fantastic nose. Totally up my alley. Smells of jasmine, vanilla, and a bit of leather. It has a spicy malt flavor, vanilla custard, and a long, graceful finish with tannins. Wow!

Sampled at the distillery. Quite good.

An impressively long finish.

Outstanding