Balvenie Port Wood 1993
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
40% abv
£29
This is part of a popular series of whiskies with 1989 and 1991 vintages preceding this release, each one finished in port pipes after 14 years of initial maturation.
Many folks agree that each expression has been different and whether or not that was the intention of its creators, the very fact of that variation is one of the great excitements of enjoying malt whisky. Sure, sometimes it is a risk from the perspective of both the consumer and producer, but it is a risk we all take in the hope of discovering some new and more delicious flavour complex. Speaking of which, I had some chicken wings at beerbistro in Toronto and was absolutely bowled over by the intense but balanced flavours. Heavenly stuff. I haven't been able to shut up about them and now here I am typing about them. Thank goodness chickens can't fly, those wings just wouldn't taste the same.
There are apparently no more vintages of this line planned for the future. For all Balvenies had on the mission, click HERE.
TASTING NOTES:
Shy at first, museli, oak, the white bottoms of green/spring onions and then more fruit: raspberries, blackberries, and a slightly sour malty note with pepper and shiraz-like wine notes emerging.
Honey and bittersweet fruits. Very drying ¾ of the way through, finishing with impressions of oak, egg noodles and newspaper.
SUMMARY:
A unique profile among the Balvenie family of malts (Founder’s Reserve, DoubleWood, 15yo, 21yo Port Wood) that once again brings to our attention the seemingly infinite diversity of scotch whisky, not just from region to region or distillery to distillery, but often between two bottlings from the same distillery. Subdued and oaky, this dram will lack excitement for many, but it is a well-constructed and unique Balvenie whose charms lie beyond superficial initial examinations.
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1 comment:
This sounds really nice!
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