Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 6

Acquired this bottle today to obtain the Cigar Blend... some might question paying a premium for an additional bottle? And that's understandable, but I've desired one of these for a long time, and they are overpriced locally. So, I needed a justification for overpaying, and this was it. Nose - Classic Balvenie notes of heather honey, oak, and subtle sherry hints. However... something seems slightly off. There's a sweet and savory element in the mid-palate that comes across as... younger or less refined... it doesn't fit with a bottle that costs over $400 in the US or around $300 USD in the UK. It lacks the depth and complexity expected for the price point and isn't significantly different from a 15-year-old single cask (bourbon or sherry) upon closer examination. Taste - This is exceptionally smooth and easy to drink, yet it possesses a complex and nuanced finish. It presents a buttery and savory profile alongside honey and light toasted oak. Hints of smoke, toffee, chocolate, waxy oils, and a satisfying chewiness are present. I genuinely appreciate the Balvenie malt; it's among the finest malts globally. That said... I thought I had a 15 sherry expression available, but I don't, so I'm opening a 15 bourbon. Let's compare. Wow... the first taste makes me think I have a barrel pick. Those older 15-year-old (this is 16) bourbon single casks possess a certain magic. They have this wonderfully funky, aged quality with that incredible Balvenie malt. And this one is no exception; it's truly remarkable for what it was... a scotch well under $100. So, is the 1509 superior to the 15-year? I believe so... but I'm not entirely certain. I've experienced excellent 1509s. This batch 6 doesn't particularly impress me. Therefore, I'm rating this a 2.75. I recommend passing, folks. Consider purchasing the 15 sherry or bourbon cask if you can find them for up to 85% of this bottle's cost.

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual Premium Whisky Tasting, 27 November 2020). Nose: Honey, golden syrup, floral. Palate: Rich and full-bodied mouthfeel. Dark caramelized oranges, sweet and spicy. Finish: Sweet & Spicy, barley sugar sweets, oak, pepper, and ginger. It provides more of a sensation than a distinct taste; it feels skillfully made. This is a superb whisky, though I question the value for its price. My rating doesn't consider cost, but personally, I wouldn't pay the asking price compared to other 'premium' whiskies. It placed last out of the six whiskies, receiving 0% (0) of the votes for favorite of the night. (61% of attendees indicated they enjoyed the whisky). This was a very close second for me. Unfortunately, the price was revealed to everyone before the end of the tasting – the intention being to vote without price influencing the decision. I suspect the cost deterred many from voting, based on the subsequent discussion and chat.

The high alcohol content hit strongly, impacting the nose and waking me up. Since I'm not fond of high ABV spirits, I added two drops of water. This completely altered the experience, reducing the intensity of the high alcohol and allowing the flavors to emerge. I detected notes of chocolate, oak, and Italian herbs. Sweeter flavors appeared towards the back of the palate, leading to a long finish.

This is likely the smoothest scotch I have ever experienced. Previously, my top choice was the Macallan Rare Cask, but The Balvenie TUN Batch 6 surpasses it. It's my new favorite!

Had this nearby at the Tannochbrae!

Minimal smoke presence and an incredible depth of taste.