Balvenie 14 Year Old Golden Cask Rum Finish

This is the first whisky I have ever bought, and so it seems only fair that I also write my first review about this fine dram.

Nose: At first very simple and light: flowers, dried fruits, vanilla, and even hay. Then a few "darker" aromas kick in: Almonds, raisins, caramel and nutmeg. Finally a whiff of wood. Seems deceptively simple at first, but then grows in complexity. I feel like there's still plenty of aromas, which I haven't identified yet. I could spend hours just exploring the nose of this whisky.

Palate: It lands soft and creamy on the tongue. I immediately feel the "balance" of this whisky. The "fruitiness" is excellently balanced by the alcohol, 47.5%. The fruit and spices dominate at first. Pears, oranges, cinnamon, almonds, and raisins. Then it dries up and you immediately start tasting the wood from the barrel, nice dark chocolate, caramel.

Finish: Long and balanced. The fruits and spices nicely blend with the dark chocolate and caramel. Oak and wood.

Notes: What I really enjoy about this expression is the balance between the initial "fruit and spices" and the dark, dry tastes that come later. Although it can seem almost too light at first the long, dry finish complements the lightness perfectly. The somewhat higher alcohol content helps to give a potent kick and warmth. Makes me think of a summer sunset at the beach.

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