Balvenie 21 Portwood

[bcrossan]

I am going to be travelling to Asia in a week and I have seen pretty good prices on the Balvenie 21 (~$100 US) and I am thinking about grabbing a bottle in duty free. But I am curious if this is worth that kind of money like say a Macallan 18 is. I like both Macallan 12 and 18 and there is a noticeable difference between the 2 making it worth the money for the 18. Curious to hear opinions of whether the Balvenie 21 is that much better than the 12, 15, or even 17s making it worth the extra money like with Macallan 18. Thanks

[TheTross]

$100! The cheapest I've seen it in the UK is around £65, so that's not a bad price at all.

As to whether it's worth the extra depends on your tastes. I certainly much prefer the 21PW's nose, which is more robust, chocolaty and slightly drier than the DW's, with the latter being fruitier but slightly thin in comparison. On the palate, the PW is again more robust than the DW and possibly slightly peaty, but the DW just seems to be the more drinkable of the two. Anyway, for $100 I'd definitely suggest picking one up - I know I would!

However, the 17yo Sherryoak beats them both hands down for me...

[Secesh]

I love the Portwood. If I could find it around here for $100 then i'd pick it up. Right now it's about $135 and seems to keep rising.

[bcrossan]

I love the Portwood. If I could find it around here for $100 then i'd pick it up. Right now it's about $135 and seems to keep rising.

My local stores have it for the same price which is why I have never tried it. But I found it in Taiwan duty free shop for 3000NTD (slightly less than 100US). Granted this is for 700ml bottle and not 750, but still a good price overall it seems

[mikeymad]

I think that the Portwood is a good beverage. I really like it and at a $100 it is a good price.

Would I pick it over a Mac 18yo? ... never. They are different beverages all together, and I like the Mac 18's so much more.

That being said, at the $100 price point you may want to give it a try. I think that it is worth it for that price. I would like it to be more about $80-85, but still not too expensive.

Cheers,

[bcrossan]

I just got back from a local store and they had the 21 PW for about $105. I guess they have a pretty good price. Didn't grab it this trip, I am waiting to see what Seoul and Tokyo duty free has

[jazz lover]

Bcrossan $100 is a good price
most stores have it at about $ 139
If you can make it to houston
Spec's has it at $97.00,also I agree
with Mickeymad I would pick it
over the Mac 18.

[jazz lover]

Sorry Mickeymad my bad
I would pick it over Mac 18

[Ganga]

The Balvenie 21 is actually has a greater difference from its younger siblings than the Macallan 18 does. The Balvenie 21 is finished in a port cask where the FR, DW, single cask 15s, 17 (new cask, islay cask, sherry) are not.

Whether it is worth it or not depends upon what you like. If you like port finished whiskies then yes, it is well worth the $100. If not, skip it and find something else you like.

[bcrossan]

Bcrossan $100 is a good price
most stores have it at about $ 139
If you can make it to houston
Spec's has it at $97.00,also I agree
with Mickeymad I would pick it
over the Mac 18.

We have 3 Specs in Austin now (YES!!!!). I will have to go check their prices locally. On the website that have it for $115

[bcrossan]

The Balvenie 21 is actually has a greater difference from its younger siblings than the Macallan 18 does. The Balvenie 21 is finished in a port cask where the FR, DW, single cask 15s, 17 (new cask, islay cask, sherry) are not.

Whether it is worth it or not depends upon what you like. If you like port finished whiskies then yes, it is well worth the $100. If not, skip it and find something else you like.

I have actually never had a port finished scotch. I do tend to favor the malts with sweeter notes though. How would port compare to say sherry or others?