Balvenie 10 Year Old Founder's Reserve

In the heart of Speyside you can find the second distillery (after Glenfiddich) of the Grant’s family: Balvenie (say ‘bal-VEE-ny). This Founder’s Reserve is their discontinued 10 Year Old, which was followed by the Signature 12. It is a combination of bourbon and sherry casks.

I am confronted by bittersweet fruits such as mandarin, oranges and mandora on the first whiff, all orange peeled fruits yet all different. The nose evolves nicely into apricots and pineapple. Quite some honey. A hint of tea. Some liquorice, rosewater and mild spices in the mix, which results in a very pleasant, fruity nose. A hint of smoke is hidden underneath the fruit.

It starts a bit weak on the palate, but that is the silence before the storm. A lot of sherry influence, slightly drying, on orange peel, caramel and vanilla. Nicely round and balanced. The oak adds some spices, but does not dominate.

The long, soft and sweet finish, warms the heart. On fruit, liquorice and brown sugar.

What a great whisky. Top Speysider. Oh, lest I forget, the Grants have a third distillery, Kininvie, but no single malt has yet been released.

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