Nose A thousand milk chocolate bars unwrapped and melted in a cauldron over an oak fire. Punnets of dried fleshy fruits are then thrown in with cinnamon, nutmeg and tumeric to create a rich malty fug of whisky.
Palate Batch 5 has a mouthfeel silkier than silk, more like velvet than, well... velvet. The chocolate returns but this time with slices of oranges and lemons, then it opens up in a wave of caramel and butterscotch.
Finish The finish is layered like an onion, if each layer was a different citrus fruit/brand of toffee/type of spice. The subtlety of this whisky is in the finish, as it opens up and reveals more and more: fresh fruit, ground coffee, malt, the list goes on and on.
Overall Few whiskies offer such dexterity whilst maintaining drinkability. The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 5 is impeccably balanced and soft but without ever compromising flavour or intricacy at any point.