Thanks for the review guys. I have not tried this one. I have a bottle of the 12 year old single barrel using first fill bourbon casks not sherry. It is excellent. Again thanks guys I love your videos!
The single barrel/single cask thing is a great way to illustrate the art of blending/vatting single malts for consistency in a game where it's illusive. David Stewart is widely regarded as one of the best but some Balvenie expressions leave me flat. If I were to make a recommendation for Scott it'd be a sherry cask Dailuaine. Let me work on that. Btw, may I politely point you in the direction of my pronunciation video 😅. Still loving it boys, keep it coming!
I still need to find this. I just reviewed the 12 Doublewood on my channel but I have yet to find a bottle of the 15 but it seems to pretty elusive in my area. Only ones I have seen aren't first fill ones either. Good video guys!
Hahaha.. i was looking for my phone when that notification came in... Thank you for this honest review (like you always do of course). Not everything a brand brings out (for some top dollar pricetag) is quite the best they have.
This is one of my favorite Sherry bombs for sure, however, different casks, 1st fill, refill, so many variations in this SM. The price hike in Ontario has now made me a non-buyer of Balvenie but I have consumed 1 bottle of this and am working on what probably is my last. Both bottles have been brilliant for me and I rank it right there with Glendronach 15, say a 2013 bottling and that's a 90+. See if you can lay your hands on a Balblair 1990/2015, one the most reasonable priced 25 year old Sherry finished SM i have ever tasted. Entertaining as always Cheers
I love this one, I have been through 2 bottles of it. Great ABV and great impact, awesome scotch if you ask me. But make sure to find a first fill batch!
Hi Scott and bart I totally agree with you on the taste of the balvenie 15year old, I just wish you had really put the emphasis on the taste part of the review, because I had watched 👀 another reviewer who liked this whiskey, I don't, and I bought 3 bottles of this whiskey, before I watched your video,,the nose was great but then came the bitter nut taste, very put off for me, I love ❤ the balvenie 14 year old rum cask balvenie, I hope in your future tasting you really emphasis how bad or good a whiskey is on the nose and palate, who cares if you piss someone off, we need the absolute 💯 truth, thanks for your review and cheers guy's !!!
Howwwwwdy Dummies! Hahaha right before i posted my review on your earlier video about the plain single barrel and this bottle i watched that Horst Lunning video on this bottle! You are correct! i wear ear buds in my phone to listen to youtube and i had to remove them while he tasted and squished and whatever he is doing! outrageous LOL! anyway love the hat Bart!, and great vid. i dont think i will spent the 120 on this bottle here, but at the same time i cant find the old single barrel 15yr anywhere! which makes me sad because it sounds amazing. Slainte Dummies!
Horst's swishing and squishing almost felt like an invasion of privacy the first time I saw one of his videos! Get those aggressive sexual sounds out of my ears!
Balvenie is one of my favorite distilleries. 21 Portwood is probably the best I've had so far. My friends and I really like the single barrel that you mentioned that doesn't state "sherry cask". We snatched up a couple of extra bottles at the time for later use because we thought it might go away. You were right, 350 bottles a cask out of those. A really great dram.
Hesitant to try this one. I have a bottle of the 14yr that I don't care for because it seems as though they're finishing it 2 years in rum casks to address a sour note they discovered after 12 yrs. I haven't given up on Balvenie, but I guess I just need to find the right offering from them. Great work guys!
Gab, I did not like the 14 yr at all in the beginning. It took me half the bottle before I actually could drink it. I guess it needed to oxidize, but I'm not buying a 2nd bottle either.
Well it looks like I will be taking this one off my list for the time being! I'm dying to try the Balvenie 15 Single Barrel, and I watched the older episode but you did not give it a malt mark. If you could give it one now, where would you rank it amongst the Balvenie family?
I love Balvenie. I've had 3 different casks of the Sherry Cask 15yo SB, they do vary some. If you have any original 15yo SB "the Bourbon Cask version" try mixing 70/30 both ways to see if it balances out your off notes. Balvenie is one brand that really oxidizes well about halfway down the bottle so let it breathe awhile too. Side note: I got my coin today the "Bourye" #201! Thanks and keep up the great reviews.
Jeremy, some like the finish on this. Sounds like some of this is from first fill and some from second fill barrels, and one or the other may add the sour bitter notes. We've had some comments about people loving it, and some having the same bitterness to it. I think you either like the notes or you don't. We've learned everyone has their own palate. Thanks for tuning in! Scott
I have this one but mine has a lot of spice especially cinnamon. I have to say I picked up a Pikesville 110 today after the rye shootout. WOW!!' A drop of water and it's awesome.
Baby Spit up? Yuck! Love everything they put out..the rum cask finish is my personal favorite. Horst does a viscious swish!!! Ralphy has reviewed for an example Aberfeldy 12, he didn't care for it but I like it a lot. Do believe that it proves that not everyone's taste buds work the same. Will look for it but maybe not at the $100 mark. Thanks Dummies. Happy Easter to you and all the Whiskey Dummies.
I hated the +/- when you introduced it but this whisky actually needed it. The variation in barrels and allowing the whisky to oxidize open up a range of possible scores. Having a dram of Lagavulin Distillers edition while watching this.
The most important thing when buying a Balvenie Sherry Cask is to pick up the bottle and look at it through the light. Now if its *VERY DARK* then buy it! If its like a Macallan light then I myself set them down. The Dark Ones are First Fill :) Just something I learned from a birdie. Cask #11370 are first fill Sherry . You get this burnt raisin on the finish, and taste buds screaming #Christmas baby! Its like getting a barbecue burnt end that just doesn't quit! #52nd thumbs up and shared on twitter. I'll post a photo of mines on twitter for you to see the difference in color.
I was sitting here and from the start I seen that lighter color and was like oh boy! I've been down that avenue! Then I was let in on what to look for with those bottles.
Great review guys. I wonder if there's something about the 15 years of sherry cask maturation that can sometimes generate off notes. Rob over at whisky in the 6 noticed something in the glenfarclas 15 and Swami said the same about the Dalmore 15. Probably just coincidence but will be interesting to see if any other examples crop up. Cheers
Great and informative video! I know my Bourbons but am still new to Scotch. My father in law likes Balvenie and will be visiting in a few months. What is the best Balvenie you and any viewers would recommend for under $200?
Scott; I emailed you about the label, I think our purchase came from the same place. Just curious I may have missed it in the vid but the cask number. Just curious if mine is the same. Cask Number 11302 bottle 56. I got mine out this morning and plan on doing a review just to see if I come up with a similar profile. Another interesting and informative review.
Liquorhound did a small review on this on his sherry 101 show. Did you see it? He said there are 1st fill and refill bottles out there but you can only tell by the color and to get the dark one. It sounds and looks like you might have got a refill bottle.
STD, I've had my bottle for about 1 1/2 years and sometimes its great and sometimes its just good on the palate. I would give it an 88 myself. I heard there are 1st fill and 2nd fill out their, so I guess its a crap shoot. Its $105 for me and I won't be buying a 2nd bottle. Bart, when was the last time you smelled baby spit, for me its been 20+ years. :>)) Great review.
It is widely known that there are several versions of this. Some, like yours are obviously second fill sherry casks. Some, like the one mike and billy tested are definitely first fill. They are very different in taste and both are good. Whenever, I go to the store I open all the cans to look at the color of the bottles. No two are alike, unless they came from the same cask, which makes it obvious that there is no coloring going on. I think you guys would prefer the first fill version.
@@ScotchTestDummies Scotch Test Dummies yeah, some are so light, they look like they could be mac 12 double cask. Others are the darkest sherried scotches I have ever seen.
You guys must be reading my mind. The whisky club is doing a 'sherry influenced' tasting next week, and this Balvenie, along with Macallan Double Cask and Glenfarclas 105, is our highlight whisky of the evening. Great minds, hey?
Great Review as usual guys. I'm surprised you didn't like this even more then you did.... knowing your palate, Scott. There is definitely better sherried scotches out there but for the price this is freaking good:)
I know, I was so disappointed in the finish. The nose and initial palate is beautiful, but the finish killed me. I couldn't believe it. Some like it, check our comments. That's what I saw online though, a lot get the sour/bitter finish but some like it. I just didn't care for it. Thanks for tuning in. Scott
About Rye shootouts... Is it possible that the choice ends up being "the best tasting after saturating one's taste buds with wicked amounts of the same kind of booze..." In other words I sip on one dram and make it last (a lighter, more subtle flavor might be appreciated) versus I do a shoot out and the winner is the one that has the biggest "knock you over" taste. Is it possible the shootout process changes the answer?
Well, don't worry guys. Horst, did change his microphone that doesn't amplify is swooshing as much as before. Interestingly enough though, many of his viewers asked for the old mic back because they miss the swooshing. I am 'used' to it now, when I watch his videos; however, before I had to fast forward the video passed the swooshing. HA!
This can be a stunner if it's the first fill. The second fill is pretty good too but it's not as good. That label is crap for a bottle of this expense. Just got back from a short stay in Spain where I picked up a bottle of the now hard to find 15 year ex-bourbon for $54 euros. The 12 First Fill is a good one though. Well done Scott for sticking to your guns.
Baby puke is a classic sherry butt whisky note. Fresh 1st fill sherry butt. The Single Barrels of Balvenie are quite challenging, old style sherried scotch.
I liked the 17 yo Balvenie Peated Cask. Have you reviewed that one? Kind of pricey though. I always wonder if Horst has a microphone in his mouth. Some times I have to fast forward thru the swishing. 😄
Love the channel guys! Have you ever considered doing a shootout with flavoured whisky's? Maybe like... Crown Royal Apple (vs) J.P. Weiser's Apple (vs) Jim Beam Apple...
great apple review ;) I have to admit I'm not a fan of Balvenie in general. I think the SB 15YO is better than this sherry version.... Thanks guys, great review: agree with the 87
just had another dram of this last night and its just a sour nuttiness and its on the nose now too. i've gotten sulphur before and thats not really it.
"comparisons" are the thing guys. cost...ryes...love the mix. Totally agree with mac upgrade comment...it is counter intuitive to upgrade every 5 minutes...
What Bart didn't say is that he also has an iPad and an iMac to go along with his iPhone. He also is looking at getting new phones for him and his wife. that's why i was looking at him crazy, and the fact i kept waiting for him to realize he was going on too long... Scott
Great review! I'm with you for the most part, even though mine was a different barrel but recent release; mostly honey, light berry fruits no sherry notes in the noise or palate kinda thin. I'm suspecting based on the SIZE of the barrels these are fairly young maturation's, maybe 4-5yo? Very disappointing for the money $180cnd. Gave mine a 85. Nothing special.
I concur a Kentucky straight bourbon shootout would be really exciting. Can't wait to see the next shootout and the variety of different bourbons! there's a new sheriff in town!
Decided to give it a go for the fifth time and share the tasting journey with you guys. Nose: Dry sherry, a bit to sharp/harsh. Orange citrus some vanilla mild toffee. An ok nose but no fireworks for me. Palate. Earthy dry oak taste. Short sweetness, i get no vanilla. Medium heat. Very very bitter :/ The finish is bitter sour heat. Boring as hell. Have to go with Bart with this one. Opened the bottle a few months ago and i cant hide my disappointment after many goes at this hyped Balvenie. Slainte Dummies!
really similar to both of us Viktor. i scored it a little higher because the nose and palate are great, it was the finish that really turned sour/bitter. scott
Love Balvenie...but just can’t get over the cost creteria...You guys somehow need to do a true cost shootout...Balvenie is great but I don’t think you could make something comparable for much less...great show guy’s...$30/or $60 or..$80???...GIGO...
Bart's Thoughts at the end "Let's just rap this Scott,....the Balvenie 15 Sherry Single Barrel SUX!!" He wanted to "Scotch It!" a minute earlier. iPod Medallion -- An idea 10 years too late.
From Bart. I'm not talking about the whole line just what I picked up on this bottle. It's that sweet sour tang that I get. I honestly don't intend for that to be a disparaging remark. I just write down what I get...I knew this description would get some flak but figure better to be honest.
Balvenie is a nice distillery basically and I used to like it, but the quality delivered nowadays is mediocre at best. most of the stuff is too weak with only 40-43%abv and way damn overpriced. maybe it's a good idea to leave these bottles on the shelves to let the producers know that we disagree with that. at least that's what I do
Scotch Test Dummies Hmm, well i've had the Doublewood12, the single barrel 15, and a third one the name of which I don't remember. I found them nice and easy to drink but not memorable due to the absence of debth and complexity and prices have gone through the roof. I think there's better stuff out there for less money
Definitely have Scott's palate, but I absolutely hate when a whisky drops off at the end or is so dry you're left wondering what the hell? but that can be part of the sherry (wine) experience. cheers
I don't know; I've got a bottle of the 15 year Revival which was bottled in 2015, but actually contains 20 year whisky due to the gap resulting from the years the distillery was mothballed. :) wordsofwhisky.com/glendronach-is-a-lot-older-than-the-label-says/
Max, I bought my Glendronach 21 parliament for $189 and I thought it fell short being a 21 yr. I love my 15 revival bottles which are actually 19 yr and my 18 yr which is 21 yr. I hear the 21 yr had variances, I don't know why as its part of their core range. Anyways I won't be buying another 21 yr.
Thanks for the review guys. I have not tried this one. I have a bottle of the 12 year old single barrel using first fill bourbon casks not sherry. It is excellent. Again thanks guys I love your videos!
Thanks Mark
The single barrel/single cask thing is a great way to illustrate the art of blending/vatting single malts for consistency in a game where it's illusive. David Stewart is widely regarded as one of the best but some Balvenie expressions leave me flat. If I were to make a recommendation for Scott it'd be a sherry cask Dailuaine. Let me work on that. Btw, may I politely point you in the direction of my pronunciation video 😅. Still loving it boys, keep it coming!
point baby point! Dailuaine is one I haven't heard of. scott
I still need to find this. I just reviewed the 12 Doublewood on my channel but I have yet to find a bottle of the 15 but it seems to pretty elusive in my area. Only ones I have seen aren't first fill ones either. Good video guys!
We would love to test a first fill and then bart would call for a vs
Hahaha.. i was looking for my phone when that notification came in... Thank you for this honest review (like you always do of course). Not everything a brand brings out (for some top dollar pricetag) is quite the best they have.
Thanks Patrick
Going to be reviewing this one shortly as well. Looks great. Great reviews boys.
Looking forward to the review
This is one of my favorite Sherry bombs for sure, however, different casks, 1st fill, refill, so many variations in this SM. The price hike in Ontario has now made me a non-buyer of Balvenie but I have consumed 1 bottle of this and am working on what probably is my last. Both bottles have been brilliant for me and I rank it right there with Glendronach 15, say a 2013 bottling and that's a 90+.
See if you can lay your hands on a Balblair 1990/2015, one the most reasonable priced 25 year old Sherry finished SM i have ever tasted.
Entertaining as always
Cheers
the balblair 25 year sounds deelish, will have to look for it. Thanks Peter.
Bottom shelf Bourbon Bracket...Go! Good review Dummies. I've not had any Balvenie, but someday for sure. TERVISEKS!
I love this one, I have been through 2 bottles of it. Great ABV and great impact, awesome scotch if you ask me. But make sure to find a first fill batch!
thats what we hear.
Hi Scott and bart
I totally agree with you on the taste of the balvenie 15year old, I just wish you had really put the emphasis on the taste part of the review, because I had watched 👀 another reviewer who liked this whiskey, I don't, and I bought 3 bottles of this whiskey, before I watched your video,,the nose was great but then came the bitter nut taste, very put off for me, I love ❤ the balvenie 14 year old rum cask balvenie, I hope in your future tasting you really emphasis how bad or good a whiskey is on the nose and palate, who cares if you piss someone off, we need the absolute 💯 truth, thanks for your review and cheers guy's !!!
good news is that the bitter taste got less and less as the bottle got lower. I still have not bought another bottle however.
Howwwwwdy Dummies! Hahaha right before i posted my review on your earlier video about the plain single barrel and this bottle i watched that Horst Lunning video on this bottle! You are correct! i wear ear buds in my phone to listen to youtube and i had to remove them while he tasted and squished and whatever he is doing! outrageous LOL! anyway love the hat Bart!, and great vid. i dont think i will spent the 120 on this bottle here, but at the same time i cant find the old single barrel 15yr anywhere! which makes me sad because it sounds amazing. Slainte Dummies!
Thanks Travis
Horst's swishing and squishing almost felt like an invasion of privacy the first time I saw one of his videos! Get those aggressive sexual sounds out of my ears!
Balvenie is one of my favorite distilleries. 21 Portwood is probably the best I've had so far. My friends and I really like the single barrel that you mentioned that doesn't state "sherry cask". We snatched up a couple of extra bottles at the time for later use because we thought it might go away. You were right, 350 bottles a cask out of those. A really great dram.
BOOM! Great stuff for sure
Hesitant to try this one. I have a bottle of the 14yr that I don't care for because it seems as though they're finishing it 2 years in rum casks to address a sour note they discovered after 12 yrs. I haven't given up on Balvenie, but I guess I just need to find the right offering from them. Great work guys!
we need the 17 year Doublewood next.
Gab, I did not like the 14 yr at all in the beginning. It took me half the bottle before I actually could drink it. I guess it needed to oxidize, but I'm not buying a 2nd bottle either.
gabrielgv0619 I didn't like the 14 rum cask either but I have the 12 sherry doublewood and I think it's nice.
Well it looks like I will be taking this one off my list for the time being! I'm dying to try the Balvenie 15 Single Barrel, and I watched the older episode but you did not give it a malt mark. If you could give it one now, where would you rank it amongst the Balvenie family?
I love Balvenie. I've had 3 different casks of the Sherry Cask 15yo SB, they do vary some. If you have any original 15yo SB "the Bourbon Cask version" try mixing 70/30 both ways to see if it balances out your off notes. Balvenie is one brand that really oxidizes well about halfway down the bottle so let it breathe awhile too. Side note: I got my coin today the "Bourye" #201! Thanks and keep up the great reviews.
havne't seen the standard 15 release for awhile. Good to know on the coin, thanks Jimi!
You guys might have a bad barrel. Ive had two different versions of this, and it's lovely! One of my favorite sherry whiskies for its age.
Jeremy, some like the finish on this. Sounds like some of this is from first fill and some from second fill barrels, and one or the other may add the sour bitter notes. We've had some comments about people loving it, and some having the same bitterness to it. I think you either like the notes or you don't. We've learned everyone has their own palate. Thanks for tuning in! Scott
I have this one but mine has a lot of spice especially cinnamon. I have to say I picked up a Pikesville 110 today after the rye shootout. WOW!!' A drop of water and it's awesome.
Glad you like it! Guess Bart was right about something!
Baby Spit up? Yuck! Love everything they put out..the rum cask finish is my personal favorite.
Horst does a viscious swish!!!
Ralphy has reviewed for an example Aberfeldy 12, he didn't care for it but I like it a lot.
Do believe that it proves that not everyone's taste buds work the same. Will look for it but maybe not at the $100 mark.
Thanks Dummies.
Happy Easter to you and all the Whiskey Dummies.
Happy Easter to you Jerry!
I hated the +/- when you introduced it but this whisky actually needed it. The variation in barrels and allowing the whisky to oxidize open up a range of possible scores. Having a dram of Lagavulin Distillers edition while watching this.
Great dram to sip while watching. So with a plus minus how would you rate the F-111?
+/- FAST. Only thing I didn't like was you were seated side by side. Couldn't avoid it if the fellow next to you was airsick or had to take a dump...
The most important thing when buying a Balvenie Sherry Cask is to pick up the bottle and look at it through the light. Now if its *VERY DARK* then buy it! If its like a Macallan light then I myself set them down. The Dark Ones are First Fill :) Just something I learned from a birdie. Cask #11370 are first fill Sherry . You get this burnt raisin on the finish, and taste buds screaming #Christmas baby! Its like getting a barbecue burnt end that just doesn't quit!
#52nd thumbs up and shared on twitter. I'll post a photo of mines on twitter for you to see the difference in color.
thanks seattle!
I was sitting here and from the start I seen that lighter color and was like oh boy! I've been down that avenue! Then I was let in on what to look for with those bottles.
Good tip!
Your Welcome
The label on my Balvenie 12 single cask fell off as well. Good to know it was not bacause of the climate in my storage room :)
running low on glue that day.
The 50-year video almost made me cry. Scotch art!
There is much to be said about taking several barrels and vatting them... Single barrels are sometimes hit or miss.
agreed.
Great review guys. I wonder if there's something about the 15 years of sherry cask maturation that can sometimes generate off notes. Rob over at whisky in the 6 noticed something in the glenfarclas 15 and Swami said the same about the Dalmore 15. Probably just coincidence but will be interesting to see if any other examples crop up. Cheers
there are some sour notes that do accompany sherry scotches, but i haven't had a finish this sour before. Scott
Great and informative video! I know my Bourbons but am still new to Scotch. My father in law likes Balvenie and will be visiting in a few months. What is the best Balvenie you and any viewers would recommend for under $200?
the 17 year Doublewood. scott
Scott; I emailed you about the label, I think our purchase came from the same place. Just curious I may have missed it in the vid but the cask number. Just curious if mine is the same. Cask Number 11302 bottle 56. I got mine out this morning and plan on doing a review just to see if I come up with a similar profile. Another interesting and informative review.
Same cask number...bottle number 65
I thought it might be the same. This is going to be interesting.
baby spit = vinegar cider - only with the scotch test dummies - love it!!!
Bam
Liquorhound did a small review on this on his sherry 101 show. Did you see it? He said there are 1st fill and refill bottles out there but you can only tell by the color and to get the dark one. It sounds and looks like you might have got a refill bottle.
Bart has not seen it...that sounds interesting
STD, I've had my bottle for about 1 1/2 years and sometimes its great and sometimes its just good on the palate. I would give it an 88 myself. I heard there are 1st fill and 2nd fill out their, so I guess its a crap shoot. Its $105 for me and I won't be buying a 2nd bottle. Bart, when was the last time you smelled baby spit, for me its been 20+ years. :>))
Great review.
Bart hangs out at playgrounds all the time.
STD, that was a good one Scott. LOL
It is widely known that there are several versions of this. Some, like yours are obviously second fill sherry casks. Some, like the one mike and billy tested are definitely first fill. They are very different in taste and both are good. Whenever, I go to the store I open all the cans to look at the color of the bottles. No two are alike, unless they came from the same cask, which makes it obvious that there is no coloring going on. I think you guys would prefer the first fill version.
have heard there's some variances. As i've drank this bottle down, its become a lot better and some of sour is gone.
@@ScotchTestDummies Scotch Test Dummies yeah, some are so light, they look like they could be mac 12 double cask. Others are the darkest sherried scotches I have ever seen.
I've only had the 12 year double wood and the 14 year old and I love them both
They put out a really nice product
You guys must be reading my mind. The whisky club is doing a 'sherry influenced' tasting next week, and this Balvenie, along with Macallan Double Cask and Glenfarclas 105, is our highlight whisky of the evening. Great minds, hey?
Yes...listening equipment...we have the 105 on our shelf ready to go as well
Hopefully, our bottle is from a different barrel. I'm going to be looking out for the nutty finish.
The club bottle is from cask 11302
bottle 72
47.8%
Looks like the same cask! Ours was bottle 65.
it will def. improve with oxidation. My opinion changed quite a bit by the end of the bottle.
good to know, i'll be revisiting this bottle for sure.
Scott, Bart ... thanks, you've saved me some $$$, great work.
Thank you
Great Review as usual guys. I'm surprised you didn't like this even more then you did.... knowing your palate, Scott. There is definitely better sherried scotches out there but for the price this is freaking good:)
I know, I was so disappointed in the finish. The nose and initial palate is beautiful, but the finish killed me. I couldn't believe it. Some like it, check our comments. That's what I saw online though, a lot get the sour/bitter finish but some like it. I just didn't care for it. Thanks for tuning in. Scott
About Rye shootouts... Is it possible that the choice ends up being "the best tasting after saturating one's taste buds with wicked amounts of the same kind of booze..."
In other words I sip on one dram and make it last (a lighter, more subtle flavor might be appreciated) versus I do a shoot out and the winner is the one that has the biggest "knock you over" taste.
Is it possible the shootout process changes the answer?
Live show idea... Horst vs Bart in a swish off. But Bart's gotta step it up cause Horst' swish game is strong. Another great review.
Horst is strong in the (swish) force! Thanks Don!
hahahahahahaha. Horst does swish that whisky like a pro........ my wife hates it when i listen to his reviews :)
Well, don't worry guys. Horst, did change his microphone that doesn't amplify is swooshing as much as before. Interestingly enough though, many of his viewers asked for the old mic back because they miss the swooshing.
I am 'used' to it now, when I watch his videos; however, before I had to fast forward the video passed the swooshing. HA!
Andrew truth is I kinda like the swishing sound..makes it sound like he's really extracting all the flavors!
This can be a stunner if it's the first fill. The second fill is pretty good too but it's not as good. That label is crap for a bottle of this expense. Just got back from a short stay in Spain where I picked up a bottle of the now hard to find 15 year ex-bourbon for $54 euros. The 12 First Fill is a good one though. Well done Scott for sticking to your guns.
He is a gun sticker
Greetings from the Nerd ;) have you landed some Willet Distillery Noah's Mill ? would love to hear your thoughts on my 2016 silver medal winner ^_^
We just filmed that...should air in a few weeks
Scotch Test Dummies excellent! Did you like it?
Curiosity killed the cat Rombout, you'll have to wait for the review! 😫
I shall do just that!
Love it when Scott blank stares into the camera during a rant - velvet elvis!
thank you Erik. Scott
Very entertaining and enjoyable
Thanks Hillbilly
Baby puke is a classic sherry butt whisky note. Fresh 1st fill sherry butt. The Single Barrels of Balvenie are quite challenging, old style sherried scotch.
perfect, thanks eric!
I liked the 17 yo Balvenie Peated Cask. Have you reviewed that one? Kind of pricey though. I always wonder if Horst has a microphone in his mouth. Some times I have to fast forward thru the swishing. 😄
The 17 yo is on our short list.
Scotch Test Dummies Great! It's not a peat monster; the peat is subtle and is on the end, but fairly complex.
Love the channel guys! Have you ever considered doing a shootout with flavoured whisky's? Maybe like... Crown Royal Apple (vs) J.P. Weiser's Apple (vs) Jim Beam Apple...
Ummm, no
great apple review ;)
I have to admit I'm not a fan of Balvenie in general. I think the SB 15YO is better than this sherry version....
Thanks guys, great review: agree with the 87
Thanks GlassMan
You 2 are great keep up the good work fellas
Thanks Nick!
Hi dummies... could sulpher be an issue ?
just had another dram of this last night and its just a sour nuttiness and its on the nose now too. i've gotten sulphur before and thats not really it.
"comparisons" are the thing guys. cost...ryes...love the mix. Totally agree with mac upgrade comment...it is counter intuitive to upgrade every 5 minutes...
What Bart didn't say is that he also has an iPad and an iMac to go along with his iPhone. He also is looking at getting new phones for him and his wife. that's why i was looking at him crazy, and the fact i kept waiting for him to realize he was going on too long... Scott
now I have got to go into to the youtube biz...
Great review! I'm with you for the most part, even though mine was a different barrel but recent release; mostly honey, light berry fruits no sherry notes in the noise or palate kinda thin. I'm suspecting based on the SIZE of the barrels these are fairly young maturation's, maybe 4-5yo? Very disappointing for the money $180cnd. Gave mine a 85. Nothing special.
Good notes Viewpoint.
I concur a Kentucky straight bourbon shootout would be really exciting. Can't wait to see the next shootout and the variety of different bourbons! there's a new sheriff in town!
I said, the sheriff is near!
Decided to give it a go for the fifth time and share the tasting journey with you guys.
Nose: Dry sherry, a bit to sharp/harsh. Orange citrus some vanilla mild toffee. An ok nose but no fireworks for me.
Palate. Earthy dry oak taste. Short sweetness, i get no vanilla. Medium heat. Very very bitter :/
The finish is bitter sour heat. Boring as hell. Have to go with Bart with this one.
Opened the bottle a few months ago and i cant hide my disappointment after many goes at this hyped Balvenie.
Slainte Dummies!
really similar to both of us Viktor. i scored it a little higher because the nose and palate are great, it was the finish that really turned sour/bitter. scott
Bout 8 1/2 mins in....Velvet Elvis !
But love the Balvenie (in all shapes and flavors)
thank you Charlie. Scott
shoot outs are awesome, but the big 16 bottle shoot outs should remain during March for the march madness might be better.
so much potential though realmfbtl.
If Scott likes the sherry he should find The bruichladdich laddiemp3 bottles
haven't seen those.
I'm with you Bart. I didn't like this bottling. I love (92 pts) the original exbourbon 15 yo single barrel Balvenie. This one is a pass.
Thanks Cato!
Love Balvenie...but just can’t get over the cost creteria...You guys somehow need to do a true cost shootout...Balvenie is great but I don’t think you could make something comparable for much less...great show guy’s...$30/or $60 or..$80???...GIGO...
true, the price range on 15 year sherries is 90-120.
Like you say the ending is not great but I think it's worth the cost.
great sherry on the nose and initial palate. hard to beat.
Yes!!! I couldn’t put my finger in it. But I agree with you. A slight vomit aroma. Lol
this bottle did get better with time and that sourness went away.
@@ScotchTestDummies thank you for that update. Happy to hear that. It probably takes some time to open up.
Bart's Thoughts at the end "Let's just rap this Scott,....the Balvenie 15 Sherry Single Barrel SUX!!"
He wanted to "Scotch It!" a minute earlier. iPod Medallion -- An idea 10 years too late.
you noticed that too?
So I'm at 8-9 minutes and I'm a little worried.
it gets better.
If the bourbon shootout happens pls include my Cinderella Evan Williams 1783
might make the list, we haven't done that one yet.
A good Irish whiskey shootout would be cool
another one to add!
Nice review - but babyspit😂 - that isn't fair to an awesome line.
From Bart. I'm not talking about the whole line just what I picked up on this bottle. It's that sweet sour tang that I get. I honestly don't intend for that to be a disparaging remark. I just write down what I get...I knew this description would get some flak but figure better to be honest.
Hehe - no worries, to each his own😊
Balvenie is a nice distillery basically and I used to like it, but the quality delivered nowadays is mediocre at best. most of the stuff is too weak with only 40-43%abv and way damn overpriced. maybe it's a good idea to leave these bottles on the shelves to let the producers know that we disagree with that. at least that's what I do
I've liked almost everything else they have put out.
Scotch Test Dummies Hmm, well i've had the Doublewood12, the single barrel 15, and a third one the name of which I don't remember. I found them nice and easy to drink but not memorable due to the absence of debth and complexity and prices have gone through the roof. I think there's better stuff out there for less money
Too bad to hear about the finish.
Maybe just our taste...looking forward to seeing what you get.
Definitely have Scott's palate, but I absolutely hate when a whisky drops off at the end or is so dry you're left wondering what the hell? but that can be part of the sherry (wine) experience. cheers
Awesome
I love the 12 double wood, this 15 single barrel just does not work.
agreed.
Horst for the rescue ;)
boom!
a hundred ??? just buy dronach parliament , it kills this balvenie
we need the parliament!
I don't know; I've got a bottle of the 15 year Revival which was bottled in 2015, but actually contains 20 year whisky due to the gap resulting from the years the distillery was mothballed. :) wordsofwhisky.com/glendronach-is-a-lot-older-than-the-label-says/
yes, my bottle of the 15 revival has 19 year in it! i should have bought more when i had the chance. truly a great sherried scotch.
Max, I bought my Glendronach 21 parliament for $189 and I thought it fell short being a 21 yr. I love my 15 revival bottles which are actually 19 yr and my 18 yr which is 21 yr. I hear the 21 yr had variances, I don't know why as its part of their core range. Anyways I won't be buying another 21 yr.
STD, I bought 4 of the 15 yr revivals which were 19 yr and drank one and saving the other 3. I paid $79.98 each. I would buy the 18 yr myself.
heavy baby spit , and sour nuts
not a sherry lover sorry guys
No problem Christopher! Everyone had their own palate!
not keen over priced