The Balvenie - 15 year old - Single Barrel Sherry Cask #609 - Tasting Notes

The Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask has been matured exclusively in a single European oak sherry butt for at least 15 years. Bottled at 47,8%, bottle number 496, drawn from cask #609. Due to us being the designated drivers when we were visiting the Balvenie late last year we were allowed to fill a sample to enjoy home so we could make some proper notes on it.  A lovely dram to sit back and enjoy while thinking back of an amazing trip made with a group of friends. Great times and fun had that day for sure when visiting the distillery. 

Nose
Rich notes of dried fruits, tobacco leafs, thick, sweet, cream, chocolate, espresso bitter, cranberry, roses, red apple, orange, plumbs, some spices and making me think of mocha Java cake a bit. 

Palate
The flavours of the nose come back perfectly on the palate. Creamy and with just a hint of citrus freshness. Thick rich notes, with lots of fruits and pastry notes. Like eating a lush chocolate cake with a good marzipan topping on it. A cake filled with some fudge, red fruits and other dried fruits also. Chocolate and the mocha notes mixing with the fresh and sweet fruit notes, lifting each other up. 

Finish
Long and warm length finish. Soft creamy mouth feel left behind with some chocolate and sweet fruit notes. Creamy, vanilla and sultana's soaked in a good spirit.

Score
Lovely balanced dram, full of rich notes. Loved this one also on the première at the Spirit of Speyside Festival and glad I had a chance to have another taste of this expression. One surely to keep an eye out for for the collection. Scoring it an 8 out of 10. It needs some time to open up fully, it does not give away all its secrets at once that's for sure.


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