The Balvenie 17yo Peated Cask (43%, OB, 2011)

Aged Balvenie – introduced to heavily peated casks for a final period of maturation- and then married with The Balvenie finished in new American Oak.

On the nose there some vegetal notes, truly a little bit of peat smoke, green peas, some good sweetness and malty/oak spice notes. After some time in the glass the peat smoke becomes significantly more evident as does the sweetness and it is very pleasant. Think Benromach 10yo. The taste is peated at first however some good dryness comes into play and then the sweetness promised on the nose arrives on the scene to bring everything together very well. The taste is ‘bigger’ than the aromas/nose (which presented as slightly ‘gentle’ and while the taste is not overly aggressive is certainly is more active and ‘bigger’. And quite good. The finish is once again some dry oak spice notes, a little of the peat smoke and then more of the dry oak spice notes. Happily it does not fall apart in later moments and holds together well. After 10 minutes peat and malt appear, suddenly!

A different Balvenie for sure but very good none the less.

+/-$130

Score 88 points