The Balvenie PortWood 21 Years Old

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 4 by Michael Jackson and Jim Murray.

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Tasting Notes

Michael Jackson Nose Perfumy, fruity. Passion fruit. Raisiny. Nutty dryness, marzipan. Palate Very complex. Toffee, creamy, winey, aniseed. Finish Long, cedary, dry. Comment Bring on the petits-fours.

Jim Murray Nose Fruity and ripe; lovely and grapey yet smoky, too. Finely tuned. Palate Silkier than the other Balvenies, and with greater fruit and spice. Yet some how lacks their complexity. Finish Enormous. Wave upon wave of deep smoky/oaky notes. A slight hint of sap towards the finish, though, as the whisky heads in a bourbony direction. Comment The port wood has altered the shape of the whisky. The malt plays a less significant part, which means limited complexity.