Balvenie 15 single barrel scotch review

[carddoug]

Nose- the smell of this scotch is very good. I get mostly pears and honey from the nose. Very interesting, it's the first time I've ever smelled pears in a whiskey.

Taste- the very first taste I get is a sweet honey. That quickly disapeers and develops a smokey leather type of taste... Very interesting scotch so far. The last flavors I get are ones I've only until now got from woodford reserve, it's begins to taste like a buttered popcorn sort of thing and then dies down to a floral note(it doesn't at all taste like bourbon but the flavor is there) The finish also had the floral notes mixed with something sweet like butterscotch.

No water in this review, but earlier I had some in it. It didn't really bring anything new to the table, it just kinda watered it down. So I would say this is best enjoyed neat!

One last thing, all of the bottles have what cask it's from mine was number 1494 and the bottle itself was number 51. It also says that it was bottled in July of 2012, which I find a bit strange?

 

[cabaiguan juan]

I'm really leaning toward the 15, this may have pushed me over the edge.

 

[khari]

How dare you sully the name of The Balvenie by comparing it in any way to Woodford Reserve! :laugh:

Nice review. So unless I've missed something, You've tried the Glenfiddich 12, The Balvenie Doublewood and now the 15. Where do you go next?

 

[carddoug]

How dare you sully the name of The Balvenie by comparing it in any way to Woodford Reserve! :laugh:

Nice review. So unless I've missed something, You've tried the Glenfiddich 12, The Balvenie Doublewood and now the 15. Where do you go next?

I'm thinking Glenfidich 18!

 

[carddoug]

There was 15 from a brand I know nothing about! But I can't remember the name for the life of me. It was around 50$ and it was in a smaller pretty bottle lol.

 

[khari]

What was the color/shape of the bottle? Did it come in a sleeve or box? First letter of the name? Region it came from?

 

[carddoug]

It kind of reminded me of a patron bottle just a little smaller and rounder. I'm thinking started with an A or S. The bottles was by itself, so no sleeve or box.

 

[chiefmd]

Nose- the smell of this scotch is very good. I get mostly pears and honey from the nose. Very interesting, it's the first time I've ever smelled pears in a whiskey.

Taste- the very first taste I get is a sweet honey. That quickly disapeers and develops a smokey leather type of taste... Very interesting scotch so far. The last flavors I get are ones I've only until now got from woodford reserve, it's begins to taste like a buttered popcorn sort of thing and then dies down to a floral note(it doesn't at all taste like bourbon but the flavor is there) The finish also had the floral notes mixed with something sweet like butterscotch.

No water in this review, but earlier I had some in it. It didn't really bring anything new to the table, it just kinda watered it down. So I would say this is best enjoyed neat!

One last thing, all of the bottles have what cask it's from mine was number 1494 and the bottle itself was number 51. It also says that it was bottled in July of 2012, which I find a bit strange?

Haha I think you drink too much bourbon..if there is such a problem? Don't think I'll be pulling the trigger just yet on this. Doesn't seem to blow anyone's mind so I think there are plenty other good scotches to pick from.

 

[carddoug]

Nose- the smell of this scotch is very good. I get mostly pears and honey from the nose. Very interesting, it's the first time I've ever smelled pears in a whiskey.

Taste- the very first taste I get is a sweet honey. That quickly disapeers and develops a smokey leather type of taste... Very interesting scotch so far. The last flavors I get are ones I've only until now got from woodford reserve, it's begins to taste like a buttered popcorn sort of thing and then dies down to a floral note(it doesn't at all taste like bourbon but the flavor is there) The finish also had the floral notes mixed with something sweet like butterscotch.

No water in this review, but earlier I had some in it. It didn't really bring anything new to the table, it just kinda watered it down. So I would say this is best enjoyed neat!

One last thing, all of the bottles have what cask it's from mine was number 1494 and the bottle itself was number 51. It also says that it was bottled in July of 2012, which I find a bit strange?

Haha I think you drink too much bourbon..if there is such a problem? Don't think I'll be pulling the trigger just yet on this. Doesn't seem to blow anyone's mind so I think there are plenty other good scotches to pick from.

There's no such thing of too much bourbon!

 

[AVB]

You have to remember that they use the Day-Month-Year system instead of our weird Month-Day-Year.

One last thing, all of the bottles have what cask it's from mine was number 1494 and the bottle itself was number 51. It also says that it was bottled in July of 2012, which I find a bit strange?

I liked it in my review.

Doesn't seem to blow anyone's mind so I think there are plenty other good scotches to pick from.

 

[chiefmd]

How would you compare it to the Macallan 15? I haven't had either but if I was to try one of them?

 

[carddoug]

Ahh.... That explains it! I would also like to hear a comparison with macallen 15

You have to remember that they use the Day-Month-Year system instead of our weird Month-Day-Year.

One last thing, all of the bottles have what cask it's from mine was number 1494 and the bottle itself was number 51. It also says that it was bottled in July of 2012, which I find a bit strange?

I liked it in my review.

Doesn't seem to blow anyone's mind so I think there are plenty other good scotches to pick from.

 

[khari]

I believe The Balvenie is a superior pour. Perhaps Randy or Ray will be along soon to give their thoughts.

 

[AVB]

I'm not a fan of the Mac 15 so the Balvenie would be my choice. I like the standard Macallan over the fine Oak series across the board. The Balvenie is, to me, a smoother dram then the Fine Oak.

 

[carddoug]

The fine oak isn't their standard releases?

 

[khari]

No. Their standard releases are the sherried malts, like Macallan 12, 18 and 25. Here's a link to one.

 

[sigar_zealot]

I believe The Balvenie is a superior pour. Perhaps Randy or Ray will be along soon to give their thoughts.

I enjoy both. The Macallan Fine Oak is more subtle but still complex. It's been a long time since I have touched my bottle in part due to the cost. As far as the Balvenie goes I prefer the rum cask which is I think a 14 year old over the 15. My memory is a bit foggy at the moment going on 6 hours sleep here in Vegas over the past 72 hours.

 

[carddoug]

What was the color/shape of the bottle? Did it come in a sleeve or box? First letter of the name? Region it came from?

It was dalwhinnie 15! Have u tried it before?

 

[khari]

Yep. Dalwhinnie 15 is good stuff. And cheaper than Macallan and Balvenie, IIRC.

 

[chiefmd]

Just picked up a bottle of single barrel.