The Balvenie 17 Years Old Sherry Oak

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 67 by Dave Broom and Martine Nouet.

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Tasting Notes

Dave Broom Nose Chocolate covered raisins, dried fruit. Heavily sherried. Varnish, black banana and toffee apple. Shows some power. Freshly polished oak. In time (and with water) the nose firms up. Furniture polish and antique shops. Hint of sulphur. Palate Sweet start, melting dark chocolate. Firm enough grip which slightly mutes the mid palate and hides the sweetness behind. Finish Long mixing light spice, dried fruit, drying tannin and a nutty honeyed note. Ultimately dry. Comment Good but the oak has leaned a little too heavily on the expressiveness of the whisky.

Martine Nouet Nose Sherried. Toffee, marrons glacés. Rich chocolate. A hint of rubber. Wet ground coffee. Maraschino. Walnut. Palate Smooth start with lots of chocolate fudge, then oak has its word, tightening up taste buds. Finish Woody and spicy. Comment The sherry influence conveys a certain dourness to the malt. Not fully convinced by this finish.