Which Balvenie

[ScotchPalate]

I recently got the Balvenie 21 Year Portwood Finish for Xmas. I was thinking about another Balvenie. I've hear lots of great things about the 15 year, but that it's heavy on the vanilla and honey. I already have a few other drams with those flavors, so I'd like to try one of their other expressions. What say you...........

[vitara7]

dont know if you can still get it where you are or even could to start with, but the balvenie 1989 is a cracker i think.

[Deactivated Member]

Well, that's Balvenie. If you don't want that, look elsewhere. But personally, I think the 15 is a really, really nice dram.

[ScotchPalate]

Tattie, is that to say that the 10 & 12 are also honeyed vanilla drams?

[Deactivated Member]

That's a fair assessment of the house style. Actually, I get more orangey notes than vanilla, especially from the 15, but honey and vanilla are often cited. See here for tasting notes.

[Choochoo]

The 10 year old could be said to have a "honeyed vanilla" charater. The 12 year old spends some of it's time in sherry casks, so that has more sherry/fruitiness to it.

If you like the 21 year old, and want to stay away from the honeyed vanilla flavor, go with the 12 year old.

[Dubois]

I prefer the 10 years by far...

[ScotchPalate]

Tattie,
Thanks for the link.

[peergynt323]

Big 10yo FR fan here. I would choose this one over Aberlour 10 for a daily dram, assuming I drammed daily.

[Drrich1965]

I am a 12 yo fan here; I really find the sherry gives some added balance and complexity, and is not overpowering of the vanilla and malt. That being said. both are good. Anyone know how long the Ten will be easily avaliable for?

[Deactivated Member]

All we know is rumor (rumour to many) and conflicting reports, and the fact that it is no longer on the website. I think it's only going to be available in duty-free and the US, but I don't really know any more than anyone else. (Never said I did, either.)

[Drrich1965]

but I don't really know any more than anyone else.

I don't buy that for a second

[Deactivated Member]

Well thanks, Rich...I was expecting a slap in the other direction!

[Lawrence]

In an interview on whisky cast a while back the person from Balvenie (I forget who) confirmed that the 10 FR was been discontinued to provide more casks for the 12 DM which is a shame IMHO. I have to presume that what's in the shops now is the remaining inventory.

[ScotchPalate]

I'm surprised their pulling the 10 FR. I thought it was a popular dram. Oh, well. Out with the old, on with the new.

[Wendy]

I have both bottlings in my cupboard, but I favour the Balvenie 10 FR. I gave my mom and brother-in-law a bottle each for Christmas which pleased them.

Cheers,
Wendy

[Mustardhead]

The supermarket shelves are groaning under the weight of the Balvenie stock at the moment

The 10yo is a couple of pounds cheaper than the 12you so I'd better pick up another couple just for old times' sake.

[jimidrammer]

As I've said many times Balvenie is one of my top 5 Speysiders and every one I've tried is worthy of a purchase as they are different enough to explore. I have the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 21 in my cupboard, surprisingly none open at the moment. I will remedy that soon. I may not be much help in choosing, but a few positive remarks should be worth something. Also they make a 3-50ml bottles gift set if you can get it for $15US that has the 10, 12, & 15.

[Drrich1965]

As I've said many times Balvenie is one of my top 5 Speysiders and every one I've tried is worthy of a purchase as they are different enough to explore. I have the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 21 in my cupboard, surprisingly none open at the moment. I will remedy that soon. I may not be much help in choosing, but a few positive remarks should be worth something. Also they make a 3-50ml bottles gift set if you can get it for $15US that has the 10, 12, & 15.

One of the current gift sets (selling in stores near me), hasthe 12, 15 and 21yo expressions for about $18. Thinking of picking one up for an upcoming trip..