The Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask
Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years
47.8% ABV
$115-$130
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What the Distillery Says
The Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask has been matured exclusively in a single European oak sherry butt for at least 15 years. The term ‘Single Barrel’ conveys the unique nature of the single malt whisky, which has been drawn from a single cask of a single distillation.
Limited by nature, each heavily toasted European oak Oloroso sherry butt will yield no more than 800 bottles of Scotch whisky.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Dried fruits overlaid with a gentle nuttiness
TASTE: Rich with elegant oak and subtle spice
FINISH: Long, sherried finish
What Gary Says
Nose: Thick sherry, balsamic vinegar over spongecake with dark fruit, walnuts, almonds, floral notes with subtle smoke and oak; water brings out more orchard fruit notes.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel, fruitcake with sherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, subtle clove, oak.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with notes of dark fruit.
Comments: This has some very intense flavor for a sub 50% ABV dram. In fact, the first time I had tried this at a friend’s house, I expected it was cask strength – not that it drinks hot (it doesn’t) but just the flavor intensity. It takes water well, and maintains a great mouthfeel. I picked this up in early 2020 for $115, and felt that was a bargain for a 15 year single malt of this quality. As a single barrel, I don’t know how much variation there is. This is the first I’ve owned, and I think I’ve only sampled from two others – and thought all three of those were really delicious.