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You are currently viewing the Whisky category or one of its subcategories. If you aren't clear as to what Whisky actually is, perhaps you should read a definition (Though you may want to brush up on your Scots before you do, in which case Whisky will be very helpful anyway). If you would like to see more reviews, I suggest you start here. I tend to grow excited and wax lyrical when I talk about Whisky (as you might have concluded yourself from the reviews below), so I will limit myself to saying that I believe it to be one of the most special and wonderful drinks in the world, and that I'm quite sure that, if there is indeed a God, Whisky must be the last thing he made before resting. Saturday, August 26 2006
Balvenie 10 Yr. Old Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky
I first bought Balvenie when looking for a new, affordable single malt Scotch to try for the new year and being bewildered by the vast array of choices and price range available to me; I chose this Whisky because of its boast that it was hand crafted in a small distillery, because of its packaging, and because of its relatively low price when compared to other single malts. Balvenie comes in the traditional tube, but the bottle has a very appealing shape which makes it special, and the stopper, rather than being made of the more usual plastic, is made of wood! Even before opening the bottle, one can smell the wood and lacquer, and one knows that this will be a truly sensual experience. The liquid itself smells wonderful, ripe with grain and tall grass as well as discrete whispers of cherries, all of it lending the smell a lushness which is hard to resist. In the mouth, it has a thick, rich consistency and a quiet, elegant demeanor; it starts very gently, fresh like spring water at the dawn of time, filled with the aroma of malt and flowers; as the liquid is drawn further in the mouth, however, it thickens further still and gains in character, acquiring flavours of peat, leather and sweet wood. As a matter of fact, and though it seems fanciful, I often feel that, at the time of swallowing, the Whisky tastes somewhat like that wooden stopper smells, which is, believe me, wonderful. The aftertaste combines both oak and peatiness to provide the drinker with a lingering memory of what a pleasant, nay pleasurable, experience he as just had. I so far have felt that I have done a fair and useful job of describing the spirits reviewed on this blog, but I honestly feel that my descriptive powers are out-classed by this particular Whisky. The best testimonial I can make of its all around quality is that I ended up buying a second bottle (which I am currently sorrowfully putting out of its misery) even before the first one was empty, and that it has surpassed Glen Fiddich as my all-time favourite single malt Scotch, excluding Islay malts: if I had to buy a case of anything, it would be of this Whisky. I have also had the privilege to taste the 12 year version of this Whisky whilst paying a visit to Bishop's Cellar: it was a very, very pleasant drink, as well crafted as its younger sibling and even more subtle, but whereas the ten year version is just right for me, I found that one slightly too light for my taste, though still delicious. If you are a Whisky-lover, especially a Highlands-lover, and haven't tried this one yet, then you haven't lived. [/Whisky/Scotch] permanent link |
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