Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 4

A tasting event featuring Balvenie whisky occurred on April 26, 2018. This was the fifth whisky sampled. The aroma presented notes of ironbark honey, malt, apple preserves with cloves and cinnamon, warm Anzac biscuits (a popular Australian treat), and a woody thread of oak with some anise hidden within. This nose was more grain-focused and earthy than other Balvenie expressions I've encountered, with a subtle hint of sulfur that I found pleasing, adding a unique earthy character. The initial taste was a delightful wave of chewy, aromatic oak. Vanilla and spices like ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon were present, alongside shortbread dipped in milk chocolate. Dried fruit compote also featured. The flavor developed intricately with heather honey, red cherries, raspberries, more ginger spice, and some mature, leathery oak. The texture was impressively full, coating the mouth with a firm, mouthwatering quality. The finish was exceptionally long, lasting for an extended period. Ginger spice and sweet malt balanced the oak's tannins. Some lighter fruit notes unexpectedly appeared, and the taste lingered pleasantly. I was surprised by how distinct this whisky was compared to the others tasted. It deviated from the typical Balvenie profile, exhibiting a woodier and more robust character throughout. Another attendee remarked on its difference from the Batch 3 expression, which had more pronounced fruity notes. I greatly enjoyed this dram and considered it the finest whisky of the evening. The 21-year-old Port Wood was a close second, but this expression offered greater complexity and was more intriguing than approachable. It is quite costly, but justifiable for those with discretionary income. Rating: Excellent – 88/100 (4.5 stars) Additional note: A sixth sample was available, a 35-year-old Balvenie hand-drawn cask sample from refill bourbon casks at approximately 45% ABV, provided by the brand ambassador. This was one of the components of Tun 1509 Batch 4 and was outstanding. Its aroma was strikingly reminiscent of the 12-year-old DoubleWood, with fresh fruit, abundant honey, and vanilla, yet possessed a distinct maturity with minimal oak influence. The palate was akin to drinking liquid gold, perhaps the smoothest whisky I've ever experienced. Imagine a whisky tasting almost like a honeyed mead, and you'll have a good idea. It bore some resemblance to Highland Park 18.

I'm currently in New Orleans, a beautiful, historic city teeming with ghost stories. The streets are filled with sweaty wedding parties, similar to figures in the game "Barrel of Monkeys," along with questionable behavior, religious zealots, revealing attire, makeshift gloves, street-side vomit, oversized novelty glasses with multiple straws (destined for marine life), and even leashes for adult men. I experienced my wild party days in my 20s and early 30s, which now leaves me feeling more like an observer than a participant in life's more chaotic aspects. With a self-imposed 10:30 PM bedtime, my adventurous pursuits are limited to expensive drinks, fine dining with my partner, and a few puffs from my vape pen before sleep. My current definition of wildness is confined to my dreams. Anyway, on to the Whiskey - I briefly saw Balvenie on "Shark Tank" and will look into it. Enough rambling - this $90 pour had a hint of the younger Balvenie, but for me, the oak was overwhelming. It was extremely dry with some of the most intense oak aging I've ever encountered. I detected a bit of dark chocolate and raisins, but the oak and spice on the finish were too dominant for me to truly connect with this whiskey. I'm unsure; I might try it again, but at this moment, I'd say it's just okay... I'm not thrilled with it - the spice and oak lack vibrancy; it tastes more like chewing on a piece of driftwood. NOLA!

Given the cost, expectations are sky-high. Even with $130 in gift cards, it still cost over $200. You anticipate a great deal. Age: NAS (Anyone know?) Nose: notes of caramel, vanilla, honey, apricots, and oranges. Palate: wonderfully smooth and rich. It has impressive legs and an oily mouthfeel. It's inviting, beginning with apricot and honey flavors that persist throughout. It's outstanding. A subtle touch of peat...the typical Balvenie whisper. Finish: enduring and lingering. The apricot and honey essence remains. Seriously, this is delightful. If it were priced at $150, I'd be quite pleased...but it's nearly triple that. It doesn't revolutionize anything. In fact, I tasted it alongside Glencadam 10, and irrespective of price, I enjoyed the 10 just as much, if not more. I also compared it to Balvenie 15 Sherry, and I appreciate that one just as much, if not more. Still, it's good. I'll revisit it in a few months once it's had more time to open up. Yet, in some respects, this feels significantly overpriced to me. It's not an intense sherry experience. No wild tropical fruit notes like a single barrel aged solely in bourbon casks. I recognize it needs more time, and I'll give it that. I did let it sit for 30 minutes to aerate, and then spent another hour savoring it.

Available at a local bar for $90 a serving. Definitely a steep price. Nose: Cream, Apricot Jam, Honey, Apple pie Palate: Largely consistent. Extremely rich, orange blossom honey. Prune sneaks in subtly. Maple notes are present alongside pound cake. Finish: Not as clearly defined as the palate. Lemon curd and deep char counteract the strong sweetness from the nose and palate. If I had paid for the serving, my rating would likely be 3 to 3.5. While this bottle is an outstanding whiskey, it exhibits common shortcomings of non-age-stated whiskeys, specifically a fleeting and somewhat harsh finish. A lemony oak lingers briefly, overshadowing the rich, syrupy palate. If that creamy honey had persisted, I would consider it among the region's finest offerings.

Nose: Sweet, deep rich malts with dried fruits. Sweet honey, green apples, raisins, dried orange peels with some sherry undertones. Sweet vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg complete the profile. Palate: A slight peppery spice with sweet, rich wood. It coats the mouth effectively, leaving you with sweet honey, vanilla, baking spices and subtle wood notes. Dried fruits, with a slight sherry presence. A long, enjoyable finish. Final Thoughts: This is a very good pour. Compared against Batch 3 and Batch 7. I favor it over Batch 7, but it ranks below Batch 3.

Prominent notes of honey, apple, vanilla, sharp tobacco spice, menthol, and spearmint are apparent initially. The mid-palate has malty cereal with maple syrup and a hint of salt. Rich barrel char, leather, medicinal/earthy mint, and spices (reminiscent of cinnamon/cardamom/ginger) remain on the tongue, while a pleasant warmth lingers in your chest for a long finish. A sublime drink. While the price is difficult to justify for most, I'm willing to pay it for an occasional treat.