Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel 5603

The number of single barrel releases of Balvenie 15 Year Old is vast, very vast. Too many too count. But as it is always a nice whisky, we try every bottle we come across. Today, that is barrel #5603, distilled on 1st March 1996 and bottled on 9th November 2011, as always cut to 47,8% ABV.

The nose starts quite closed. I get only grasses, dandelions and some oak. It needs hand warmth and time to open up. And even then it is limited to some Jonagold apples and vanilla. Hm, to be honest, this is a bit disappointing.

The body is creamy and round, the palate quite spicy on pepper and liquorice. Now I do get some honey, white and yellow fruit (apples, apricots, mirabelles) and a hint of lime. Some toffee, but little else. Tannins, yes. And not just a hint. Like licking a plank.

The finish is long and leaves the mouth completely dry.

All in all a good whisky, but too much wood. I cannot shake the feeling that Balvenie 15 Year Old single barrels can be much better. Thanks, Pat!

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