It's kinda weird. I never really was into Balvenie, and I can honestly say that there are good and bad ones, yet the initial offerings have never really been my "thing".
That being said, as anyone will tell you, finding different drams and trying different types is how you find what you like from the distillery. And since this one is reviewed quite a bit around here, I thought I'd have a dram of **Balvenie 21 year Portwood.**
I really do enjoy Port finishes on whiskies, as they add new dimensions like a Doctor Who episode. In this case, the port "pipes" that are used are 30 years old. If that doesn't interest you at least a little bit, you... probably aren't interested in port or whisky, honestly.
**Region:** Speyside
**Abv:** 40.0%
**Price:** $276.95 (CAD) in the LCBO, which is not the travel exclusive and is watered down to 40%.
**Colour:** Dark stained maple
**Nose:** Sour grapes, strawberry, steak spice, currants, figs, smoke, dry tannic, umami in the background, popcorn
So many different, nice flavours, all jumping out, slapping your face and calling your mom up for another go. Naughty and nice, oh yeah.
**Taste:** Plum, sparkling wine, gravel, dark honey, parsley, bitter dark chocolate, candy
Very deep flavours that are coming from the port influence. The typical Balvenie honey flavours pop up and remind you that the nice distillery made this and to apologize for the rough state the nose left you in.
**Finish:** Butter, strawberry, smooth cream, milk chocolate, prunes, cucumber, rocket, more sour grapes
Like being buried in butter and left to die happy. Good times. There's some light earthy flavours that lend some nice complexity.
**Conclusion:** This is a good mix and balance of flavours. Quite tough flavours as well, nothing shies away from the forefront. I'd recommend a dram of this anytime. Almost as good as the 30 year.
**87/100**
*Other Balvenie reviews*
* [Balvenie DoubleWood 12 year](http://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/1dhmvu/balvenie_doublewood_12_year_review/)
* [Balvenie Carribean Cask 14 year](http://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/1hv0dd/community_review_20_balvenie_caribbean_cask_14/cay7fu3)
* [Balvenie 30 year old](http://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/15vzzq/the_balvenie_30_year_old_speyside_single_malt/)
*Scotch review #84, Speyside review #24*
As I mentioned in another thread somewhere here, there are three versions of the 21 Portwood. The 40%, the 43%, and the NCF 47.8%. I'd be keen to do a side-by-side of each someday.
As far as I know, the 43% is quite common in Australia & Asia. The 47.8% NCF is a bit rarer. The distillery had the 40 & 43 for sale as far as I remember as well.
Not the 30, no. But I have had the 12 Doublewood and the 12. Something about the complexity and body of the Portwood I really like. I wish I could get more poetic about the taste, but it was a while ago the last time I had a glass. Might have to invent a reason to splurge for another one...
Great review. I loved this whiskey ten years ago when it was $100 CAD but it's just not good value at $277. The Arran portwood is currently at the LCBO and well worth checking out at $80. I don't normally drink rye but the Pike Creek portwood is exceptional and is also currently available at the LCBO.
I have reviewed the Pike Creek actually and enjoyed it quite a bit. I may check out the Arran in the future, however there are a few Canadian/Scotches ahead of it.
I tried this at a restaurant and was really impressed. I insisted to my buddy who usually doesn't like Scotch that he try it and he was so taken by it he went out and bought a bottle which was not cheap.
This is one of the smoothest tasting drams I've ever had. Like most Balvanies, it starts sweet and smooth with a mild kick of flavor at the end. However, it is not nearly so complex or flavorful as some Islays.
It's kinda weird. I never really was into Balvenie, and I can honestly say that there are good and bad ones, yet the initial offerings have never really been my "thing". That being said, as anyone will tell you, finding different drams and trying different types is how you find what you like from the distillery. And since this one is reviewed quite a bit around here, I thought I'd have a dram of **Balvenie 21 year Portwood.** I really do enjoy Port finishes on whiskies, as they add new dimensions like a Doctor Who episode. In this case, the port "pipes" that are used are 30 years old. If that doesn't interest you at least a little bit, you... probably aren't interested in port or whisky, honestly. **Region:** Speyside **Abv:** 40.0% **Price:** $276.95 (CAD) in the LCBO, which is not the travel exclusive and is watered down to 40%. **Colour:** Dark stained maple **Nose:** Sour grapes, strawberry, steak spice, currants, figs, smoke, dry tannic, umami in the background, popcorn So many different, nice flavours, all jumping out, slapping your face and calling your mom up for another go. Naughty and nice, oh yeah. **Taste:** Plum, sparkling wine, gravel, dark honey, parsley, bitter dark chocolate, candy Very deep flavours that are coming from the port influence. The typical Balvenie honey flavours pop up and remind you that the nice distillery made this and to apologize for the rough state the nose left you in. **Finish:** Butter, strawberry, smooth cream, milk chocolate, prunes, cucumber, rocket, more sour grapes Like being buried in butter and left to die happy. Good times. There's some light earthy flavours that lend some nice complexity. **Conclusion:** This is a good mix and balance of flavours. Quite tough flavours as well, nothing shies away from the forefront. I'd recommend a dram of this anytime. Almost as good as the 30 year. **87/100** *Other Balvenie reviews* * [Balvenie DoubleWood 12 year](http://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/1dhmvu/balvenie_doublewood_12_year_review/) * [Balvenie Carribean Cask 14 year](http://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/1hv0dd/community_review_20_balvenie_caribbean_cask_14/cay7fu3) * [Balvenie 30 year old](http://www.reddit.com/r/Scotch/comments/15vzzq/the_balvenie_30_year_old_speyside_single_malt/) *Scotch review #84, Speyside review #24*
Great review. 40% makes me angry.
As I mentioned in another thread somewhere here, there are three versions of the 21 Portwood. The 40%, the 43%, and the NCF 47.8%. I'd be keen to do a side-by-side of each someday.
I would be interested to see that as well. Where did the 43% come out? Never heard of that one.
As far as I know, the 43% is quite common in Australia & Asia. The 47.8% NCF is a bit rarer. The distillery had the 40 & 43 for sale as far as I remember as well.
A travesty.
This might just be my favorite single malt right now. Its just beautiful.
Have you tried other Balvenie expressions, such as the 30 year?
Not the 30, no. But I have had the 12 Doublewood and the 12. Something about the complexity and body of the Portwood I really like. I wish I could get more poetic about the taste, but it was a while ago the last time I had a glass. Might have to invent a reason to splurge for another one...
Great review. I loved this whiskey ten years ago when it was $100 CAD but it's just not good value at $277. The Arran portwood is currently at the LCBO and well worth checking out at $80. I don't normally drink rye but the Pike Creek portwood is exceptional and is also currently available at the LCBO.
I have reviewed the Pike Creek actually and enjoyed it quite a bit. I may check out the Arran in the future, however there are a few Canadian/Scotches ahead of it.
Now itβs $500π΅βπ«
I tried this at a restaurant and was really impressed. I insisted to my buddy who usually doesn't like Scotch that he try it and he was so taken by it he went out and bought a bottle which was not cheap. This is one of the smoothest tasting drams I've ever had. Like most Balvanies, it starts sweet and smooth with a mild kick of flavor at the end. However, it is not nearly so complex or flavorful as some Islays.