Balvenie 21 Year Old Port Wood Finish

This was way more than I expected from this brand, I highly recommend this one for complexity and yet subtle for anyone to enjoy.

@PMessinger I had it about 6 years ago from LAX duty free. It was $165 back then. It's a lot more than that now where I live. I loved it, but I have never been able to justify spending that kind of money since. All Balvenies have got very spendy the last few years, at least where I live.

I was fortunate (?) to purchase two bottles of Balvenie 21yo Portwood finish for approximately US$135 each (before applying shipping charges = US$18 per bottle). So total approximate cost was US$153 per. Was one of the first international spirits purchases I executed after British pound rate tanked per Brexit vote results. I believe the exchange rate (per credit card statement) applied was: GB £ to US $ = 1.2174. Made another similar international purchase of two bottles of Redbreast 21yo around that time too for US$157 (Michigan retail price was $399.96). Opportunity knocked, so I answered.

What did you think of the Red Breast 21yr old? I was a little disappointed....

@Misty : I enjoyed the Redbreast 21yo. But I find it to have the dryer flavor profile, quite similar to its younger (and less expensive) 15yo sibling. With two bottles of the 21yo, I am set for some time going forward. I then to lean more towards the fruitier, vanilla notes of the regular 12yo. The RB 12yo Cask strength has been one of my favorite whiskies for past several years. But, for some reason, I am just not as thrilled with it this year. Not sure if an "off" batch, or oxydizing has quickly killed off some of the more enjoyable "intensive" qualities and character. And truth be told, I have been sampling a number of new whiskies this year. Expanding my palette, so to speak.