Balvenie 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.

It's been over a decade since we've revisited the Balvenie range. From the 12 Year Old, right up to the venerable 30 year old expression, the house style emerges as one of the lightest and most delicate to be found from Speyside with almost no peat evident. This is a special Balvenie to honor Master Distiller David Stewart’s 30 years working at the distillery.

Tasting note: Bright copper appearance. The first sniff seduces you with its musk-like softness, purity and depth. At 30 years, the nose has become quite rum-like including brown sugar, vanilla and cocoa with aeration tempering the initial sweetness. A typically delicate Balvenie entry leads into a middle weight, medium dry palate with some juicy barley sugar highlights flashing over the dry, oaky backdrop and lively spices. Perfect balance. Pure, soft, gently warming finish. Moderate length. Demonstrates Balvenie handles age well. 47.3%

Other reviews... This is a big and brooding dram. The aroma suggests it is aged in both bourbon and sherry oak. It’s complex and richly flavored (sweeter up front and increasingly dry towards its finish), with notes of honey, candied fruit, thick cut marmalade, vanilla, almonds, and prominent spicy oak notes. I’m picking up plenty of sherry in this new expression, which I like. It finishes firmly dry, with notes of spice and tannin. While I enjoy this whisky a great deal, you might want to seek out the Balvenie 25 year old (which I rated a 93) while the odd bottle is still available. It is slightly more rounded on the palate, and less than half the cost. 47.3% Alc./Vol. 90 points www.whiskyadvocate.com (Vol. 14, #2) Reviewed by: John Hansell.size>

...has kept its character wonderfully with a real mixture of dried fruits...rarely have I come across a bottling of a whisky of these advanced years which is so true to the previous ones. Amazing. 92 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2012size>