The Balvenie 15-yr single barrel

[Vange]

I love the portwood although i think I like just about every expression of balvenie ive tried except for thr New Wood, I didnt care for that one.

I used to get the portwood for $73, now its like $120. I guess I shouldve stocked up back then!

[JamesW]

Had the Portwood tonight. A great whisk(e)y for sure. it was very smooth with a lingering burn in the finish. I didn't note a very strong influence from the port as I do from sherry casks, however this did not at all detract from the enjoyment.

After having sampled these three Balvenie's (12, 15, 21) I must say I love them all. I would give a slight edge to the 15 SB but I'd really need to spend more time with each to make a final decision. The 21 yr is really high priced at 120 so that is a bit of a drawback you might say. The 12 dble wood was fantastic for the price ($40). The 15 is right in the sweet spot at $60 and 95 proof.

[boss302]

I'm not really up on all this, but it seemed to me, from what I was reading, that Speyside is just a more specific area of the Highlands. I.e., all Speyside is Highland, but not all Highland is Speyside. I certainly may be wrong, though. :confused:

Tim

You are correct, Tim. Speyside is a region of the Scottish Highlands whose water sources are tributaries of the Spey river system.

While the River Spey is excellent for Salmon fishing, what makes this such an excellent water source for distilling is the fact that the bedrock is granite, which is very dense and non-porous, resulting in very clean, soft water.

Speyside contains more than half of Scotland's working distilleries, who like to claim that their spirits are typically smoother than spirits from the other parts of the Scottish Highlands-- a claim that is contested hotly amongst scotch whisky aficionados.

Balvenie, along with Kininvie (whose spirit is only very rarely bottled as a single malt), is a sister distillery to Glenfiddich, the original single malt, owned by William Grant and Sons.

Speyside also contains many other big name distilleries-- Cardhu, Cragganmore, MacAllan, Glenlivet, and Aberlour are among them.

[boss302]

Does anybody know if this 15-year Single Cask is American oak, or Spanish oak? Balvenie often uses both.

[Megawatt]

Does anybody know if this 15-year Single Cask is American oak, or Spanish oak? Balvenie often uses both.

American oak, I believe.

I can't believe you can get that bottle for $60 in the US. It is $105 in Ontario...:hot:

[doubleblank]

I also find the 15yo SB to be my favorite Balvenie and one of my favorite scotches all around. My local mega retailer, Spec's, occasionally runs a special where if you will buy a minimum of 12 items, they give the case price on everything, including the hard liquors. Yesterday was one of those days and the Balvenie 15yo SB came to $53.67 and Highland Park 12 to $29.25.

Randy

[JamesW]

I also find the 15yo SB to be my favorite Balvenie and one of my favorite scotches all around. My local mega retailer, Spec's, occasionally runs a special where if you will buy a minimum of 12 items, they give the case price on everything, including the hard liquors. Yesterday was one of those days and the Balvenie 15yo SB came to $53.67 and Highland Park 12 to $29.25.

Randy

Sweet prices Randy! Here the 15 SB costs $57 and the HP 12 is $39 so that is a great score!

[Luna56]

If I could only have one SMS the Balvenie 15 would be it. It's not one of those whiskys you need to be in some special mood for, it's just great every time. Big, bold, classy. I'm jonesin' for a bottle right now. Also about 57 bucks here in NH, but regularly on sale for a bit less.

Cheers!

[ratcheer]

Dayum. It is always over $70, here.

Tim

[AVB]

Going on sale here in PA for $51.99 next week and the Portwood 21 will be $10 off at $99.99.

[doubleblank]

Following a tip from fellow SB.com'ers about some Ardbeg 17 here in town, I headed there to buy it and replace a recently emptied Balvenie 15yo SB. Low and behold, they have the Balvenie 15 SB on sale for $39.99. The saleslady said they sell it by the case at that price. I only bought two.....may go back for more since I really like this one.

Randy

[JamesW]

Following a tip from fellow SB.com'ers about some Ardbeg 17 here in town, I headed there to buy it and replace a recently emptied Balvenie 15yo SB. Low and behold, they have the Balvenie 15 SB on sale for $39.99. The saleslady said they sell it by the case at that price. I only bought two.....may go back for more since I really like this one.

Randy

39.99...Wow:bigeyes: Wish I was in TX!

[AVB]

$40 is $15 below the "sale" price here. Just outstanding. I probably drink more Balvenie 15 then any other scotch and I do have a lot to choose from.

[Dramiel McHinson]

I've sadly watched the price rise on the Balvenie range almost to the point where I won't buy it anymore. I bought my first 15 yo SB two years ago for $42, it's $67 now where I live. The Doublewood and Founder's Reserve likewise but not as expensive as the SB. I really like Balvenie and my first few bottles of the Double Wood were very tasty however the last bottle I opened was very astringent and not much flavor. I'm letting it rest hoping it or I will recover. I still have one each of the 10, 12, and 15 in reserve.

At the moment I'm hoisting a dram of the Aberlour 16 yo in your honor!

[Megawatt]

I've sadly watched the price rise on the Balvenie range almost to the point where I won't buy it anymore. I bought my first 15 yo SB two years ago for $42, it's $67 now where I live. The Doublewood and Founder's Reserve likewise but not as expensive as the SB. I really like Balvenie and my first few bottles of the Double Wood were very tasty however the last bottle I opened was very astringent and not much flavor. I'm letting it rest hoping it or I will recover. I still have one each of the 10, 12, and 15 in reserve.

At the moment I'm hoisting a dram of the Aberlour 16 yo in your honor!

I think it's $115 in Ontario currently...