The Balvenie New Oak

[khari]

In his review of Laphroaig 30, AVB made the comment that it "goes down so well and easily you'll find a major dent in your bottle in no time if you don't control yourself". I too found it to be true. As a result, my bottle is half gone and I have it on my list to try to score another bottle when I have the money to do so. This week, I opened up the Balvenie New Oak, a fairly new expression from the distiller. I have to say that this comment, at least for me, goes double for the Balvenie. With this stuff, I can see picking up a few bottles of it to keep in the coffer. Anyone else tried it?

 

[AVB]

It is much better then the "New Wood" version it replaced. I'll get to a review of it sometime I'm sure.

 

[khari]

I've seen you mention that before, AVB. Tell me, is the New Wood something you wouldn't recommend at all? I'm considering getting it for comparison's sake, but I won't waste my money on it if you think it's that bad.

 

[AVB]

In my opinion there is easily a full point of difference between them. The New Wood might be a 7 and the New Oak is about an 8 on a 10 scale but by all means decide for yourself as your taste may be vastly different then mine.

I've seen you mention that before, AVB. Tell me, is the New Wood something you wouldn't recommend at all? I'm considering getting it for comparison's sake, but I won't waste my money on it if you think it's that bad.

 

[GregSVT]

I had a bottle of the New Oak and while I thought it was good I don't think it was much better than the Double Wood and you can get the latter at close to $30-40 less. It was very smooth but the flavors were very close to the Double Wood.

Just my opinion and since my palate isn't as advanced as some, other people might find this bottle great. I definitely don't plan to replace the bottle I had.

 

[AVB]

Really? Since the DW is finished in Sherry casks and the NO is just oak I find that surprising. Everybody has different tastes which is why they make all those drams to try.

I had a bottle of the New Oak and while I thought it was good I don't think it was much better than the Double Wood and you can get the latter at close to $30-40 less. It was very smooth but the flavors were very close to the Double Wood.

Just my opinion and since my palate isn't as advanced as some, other people might find this bottle great. I definitely don't plan to replace the bottle I had.

 

[kiwifruit]

Is the new oak you guys are enjoying the 17 year old aged in Sherry casks or the prior release?

 

[GregSVT]

Really? Since the DW is finished in Sherry casks and the NO is just oak I find that surprising. Everybody has different tastes which is why they make all those drams to try.

I had a bottle of the New Oak and while I thought it was good I don't think it was much better than the Double Wood and you can get the latter at close to $30-40 less. It was very smooth but the flavors were very close to the Double Wood.

Just my opinion and since my palate isn't as advanced as some, other people might find this bottle great. I definitely don't plan to replace the bottle I had.

The New Oak isn't that far off from the DW since it's Balvenie spirit from Bourbon casks and Sherry casks vatted together in New Oak casks for a few months. So it has that Sherry and Bourbon flavor of the DW with a slight Oak flavor from the final cask. It was definitely different but I thought only slightly compared to the DW. Just my opinion though and being a somewhat noob to scotch I doubt it carries that much water.

 

[AVB]

New Wood, New Oak and SherryOak are three different releases.

Is the new oak you guys are enjoying the 17 year old aged in Sherry casks or the prior release?

 

[khari]

New Wood, New Oak and SherryOak are three different releases.

Is the new oak you guys are enjoying the 17 year old aged in Sherry casks or the prior release?

I've only tried two of the three, but I definitely prefer the New Oak to the Sherry Oak at this point. I'll have to revisit it soon, as I opened the Sherry Oak the day after the New Oak, and I think I still had New Oak on the brain. I'll let a little more time pass, then I'll be able to try the Sherry Oak without prejudice.

 

[khari]

In my opinion there is easily a full point of difference between them. The New Wood might be a 7 and the New Oak is about an 8 on a 10 scale but by all means decide for yourself as your taste may be vastly different then mine.

I've seen you mention that before, AVB. Tell me, is the New Wood something you wouldn't recommend at all? I'm considering getting it for comparison's sake, but I won't waste my money on it if you think it's that bad.

Thanks, AVB. I'll probably get it at some point and give it a try.

 

[kiwifruit]

Thanks guys, always thought it was the same line.