Whiskey
Scotch Whisky
Single Malt Scotch
Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Scotch Whisky
Review
95
Medium amber color. Strong aromas of honey, faint peat, almonds, and lemon custard. Reserved at first, then opens steadily into a very full mouthfeel but not overwhelming in body. Light honey, dried apples and light to medium peat are next with a pungent and sophisticated grain/malt backdrop. Some spearmint and menthol notes peek out, along with some pleasant heat and oak on the end. Tails with prickly spice and a long finish. A very refined single malt. Tasted 6/18/2008.
Notes
Balvenie 21 is quite a lot of Scotch quality for not so much money. With some 18 year Scotch whisky well over $100 a bottle, and 21 years around $200 in some cases, Balvenie 21 can be found for around $125. Only a few years ago, I found it for $76--maybe there are some bottles still at that price.
To create The Balvenie Portwood 21 Year Old, rare 21 Year Old Balvenie - which has been matured in traditional oak casks - is transferred to a port cask, or pipe, which has held fine port wines. Here it is sampled every month by The Balvenie Malt Master to ensure that just the right amount of character is imparted by the port casks, enhancing and developing the single malt, whilst preserving its original characteristics.
From the manufacturer.
The Balvenie Distillery has been owned and managed by an independent family company for five generations. This has ensured that the Balvenie distillery is still dedicated to the of malt whisky making.
Nowhere else will you find a distillery that still grows its own barley, that still malts in its own traditional floor maltings, that still has coopers to tend the casks and that still has a coppersmith to tend the stills.
From the bottle's caser.