Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 8

Tasting notes by Billy A

• Nose

  It kicks off with the traditional Balvenie heather honey notes, real honey rather than just random sweetness, and flower petals, backed up by spicy cinnamon, old dark oak, wax polish and some leather. Traditional bourbon notes of fresh orchard fruit start out quite vibrant, but get a bit hidden by the sherry influence as the whisky develops in the glass.

• Palate

  The palate is much more balanced, with rich sherry, spicy oak and touches of pine resin acting as a base, with liquorice, menthol, blackberries and cinnamon filling out the darker flavours. On top of that is more honey, orange peel, peach skin, dried apricot, cinnamon toast, candied papaya (I think that’s what the pink and yellow sticky things are in the ‘healthy’ box of fruit I keep on my desk) and a touch of tannic wood.

• Finish

  Lingering leather and woody spice are joined by some dried tropical fruit touches, and peach and plum stone bitter notes.

• Comment

  The sherry influence is different to the previous batch but still very noticeable, making this not only a definite part of the Tun 1401 series but also something a bit different and special over the regular Balvenie releases. I think it’s almost up to the level of the stunning Batch 5.