Balvenie 21 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish

Expensive yes, wonderful also. Really a very well balanced whisky.

Bring this out for any guest, aficionado or not they will be very happy

28th November 2020

Great drum!!

23rd October 2020

Utterly fantastic! I hope I am lucky enough to find another bottle!

10th September 2020

Its a great dram. Is there better for the money? Most likely but when pouring as a treat for a guest this is an absolute pleasure

10th September 2020

A missed opportunity here from a great distillery to let a Madeira cask release sing and soar but alas they have gone for the classic travel retail appease the masses approach. Would love to have tasted this at 46% or higher and feel a bit cheated by this as it lacks a bang for its buck, everything is in the right balance but somewhat too muted. Go for one of the Tun 1509 releases instead at this price is my advice.

22nd March 2020

Update: no improvement after been opened an some of bottle gone - smooth but no pulse at all, flatlined into pure boredom. Woeful.

Did get a bottle of single barrel sherry cask - superb dram, if you ever have the choice and are torn don’t make the same mistake I did.

3rd March 2020

By far the most disappointing whisky I've bought given the quality/price ratio is so absurd. Price is outrageous yet the contents of the bottle is distinctly ordinary. Nose, palate, and finish are all very middling, nothing jumps out at you or blows you away. There is fruit, but it's subtle, there is sweetness, but it's subtle, there is spice, but it's subtle, everything is in the background and hey, make no mistake, it is smooth. If you like flavourless, smooth whiskies you'll probably love this - if you have any sort of experience with cask strength bottlings then you'll want to avoid this like the plague.

What makes no sense to me is the 40%ABV and the chill-filtering, and probable addition of color - why do this to a 21 year old whisky? I feel like there is some potential here that could be unlocked if it was just given a bit of a kick up the arse ABV wise but instead its this really restrained, underwhelming product that just doesn't live up to its price tag in any meaningful way. I have said, for any whisky I have reviewed, to give it a try yourself as your palate may like it - I'm saying here to actively avoid this. There is so much better out there, especially at this price.

8th February 2020

I must declare this is one of my favorite whiskeys, ideal for any occasion from complementing a great dinner or celebrating an important event to any evening meditation or self-rewarding time. Extremely rewarding and easy to drink, doesn't burn , is smoothly and gently metabolized without leaving any headache nor other unpleasant effect. However, I am not sure it is worth its really high price, excellent alternatives being available for less money.

30th August 2019

Very smooth, fruity with caramel, warming

16th June 2019

Big orange on the nose with a vanilla under current and a beautiful balance

11th March 2018