Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Balvenie (teaspoon malt).
Bottler: The Whisky Age.
Region: Scotland/Speyside Single Malt.
ABV: 48%.
Age: 28 Years. Distilled in October 1994. Bottled in November 2022.
Cask type: Hogshead.
Nose: Light and gentle, orchard fruits, apples and pears, straw, buttery pastries, white flowers, more caramel and digestive biscuits with time.
Palate: Medium to light-bodied, nougat and caramel opened to brown sugar with cooked apples, apple fritters and pastries, straw and dried grass, pressed flowers at the end.
Finish: Medium-length with caramel, digestive biscuits, and a touch of dried grass.
Mental Image: Forest Gnome Cookie Shop
Conclusion: I have come to really appreciate these old tea-spooned Balvenie, which typically carry the trade name “Burnside.” While this one did not have the same juiciness and depth as the best, it was still enjoyable with plenty of the mellow and delicate flavors you want from such a mature malt. The whisky delivered all of the orchard fruits and grassiness you expect from Balvenie, with a big maltiness that veered between caramel and digestif biscuits. Hints of florals kept things interesting though they occasionally came off as a touch bitter at the end— a downside to something so old. Overall, a delightful whisky and something to kick back and relax with.
Final Score: 83.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 