The third release in The Balvenie Stories range is a particularly rich and exciting 26 year old expression, title A Day of Dark Barley. It sounds quite ominous, doesn't it? Don't worry, here's a spoiler to the end of the story - it results in excellent whisky!
This expression harks back to a day in 1992, when Balvenie mashman Brian Webster and maltman Robbie Gormley took in a delivery of dark barley, kicking of a long experiment. Dark barley isn't a common sight in the whisky world - you're more likely to see it put to use in beer brewing, particularly those yummy stouts we hear people talking about. Turns out, it also makes yummy single malt. Ideal.
Big malty notes, soft brown sugar, vanilla toffee, blossom honey and a mild oaky spiciness.
Syrupy with a toffee sweetness, some citrusy notes of tangy orange peel, followed by oak vanilla and a touch of cinnamon and ginger spices at the end.
Enduring gentle waves of vanilla and oak spices.
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I'm revising my previous review. I fully intended to rate it at 5 Stars, but it wasn't until I posted it I noticed it was only 3 by mistake. The tasting notes of the producer are pretty well on the money. I particularly like the spiciness on the palate contrasting with the creamy vanilla and toffee. The finish lingers and slowly fades over time. Great dram, but it is quite expensive so you'd hope it would be good ?
The tasting notes of the producer are pretty well on the money. I particularly like the spiciness on the palate contrasting with the creamy vanilla and toffee. The finish lingers and slowly fades over time. Great dram, but it is quite expensive so you'd hope it would be good ?
