Insider knowledge: Balvenie 17 Year Old Rum Cask whisky is named whisky by virtue of the fact it's from Scotland. If distilled in America the spelling would be Balvenie 17 Year Old Rum Cask whiskey, as opposed to whisky.
Nose: Delicate. Notes of rich, yellow fruit and acacia honey with a soft buttery texture. Palate: Very fruity, rich and ripe, with the allusion of bourbon from the toasty vanilla and soft Demerara.Finish: Spicy oak and Muscovado sugar.
The Master of Malt
Complex
Obviously rum is not your standard whisky finish - and the first sniff is an usual one that could be off putting. But persevere, and this is simply gorgeous. I am not a big fan of Balvenie in general - especially don't care for the Doublewood - but this is altogether more complex. There is a spritz that is almost Bruichladdich passion fruit like, and some brown sugar/molasses. But at the back also plenty of Balvenie citrus, and a nice sweet warmth. Definitely one for sipping in front of a fire - or on a Caribbean beach? See - told you it was complex... And it is also out of stock. so this may be my last dram.