The Balvenie 21-Year Madeira Cask
40% ABV - Speyside, Scotland
Nose: Red fruits, nectarine, fresh grape, musky perfume (but without the alcohol). Citrus and red apple start to come through.
Taste: Fruit medley, some orange or lime citrus—it’s tasting more like a cocktail that has (tropical) tang!
Finish: Dried fruits, very light floral notes, and spices.
This whisky was gifted to me by a close friend. I think that this bottle was one of the earlier whiskies that he bought (or was gifted, can’t remember well). The thing with bottles of whisky bought early into one’s Whisky Journey™ is that they represent your choices of the past. Choices made when your knowledge was not as vast and favourite flavours not as specific. I was surprised to see this in his drinking collection, and I am more surprised that he has gifted me the heel—what a man! What a great opportunity to try a few drams of something that I would not have bought for myself.
The Balvenie 21-Year Madeira Cask is a smooth, easy-drinking whisky. It’s bottled at 40% ABV (the minimum that it needs to be) and has a lot of complexity from the age. The ex-Madeira cask finish really pumps up the sweetness without being too overpowering. The only downside to this whisky is the price—I don’t know if it’s available anymore, but what I’m seeing online is a few hundred pounds. (Okay, and I wouldn’t complain if it were bottled at 43 or 46% ABV.)
Details: Travel Retail Exclusive. Matured in traditional oak casks for at least 21 years before being transferred to casks that have previously held Portuguese fortified wine.
Tasting Notes (Official): Fragrant fruity and floral on the nose, with orange blossom and fresh pineapple. A lovely juicy edge to taste, with barley sugar and gentle oak vanilla. The finish is lingering and luscious, sweet and malty, with a spicy layer.
Tasted 23 November 2023. (Posted 5 February 2024.)
