Picked this up today so I could take home that Cigar Blend...some might think "you paid MORE for a bottle to get another?" And that's sane, but I've wanted one of these forever but locally they're over priced. So I needed an excuse to over pay, and that was it. Nose - Classic Balvenie heather honey, oak, and hints of sherry. That said...it's got something off. There's this sweet and savory middle element that comes off...younger or cheaper...it doesn't have a place in a bottle that sells for 400+ in the states or about 300 USD in the UK. There's not enough depth or nuance here for the price tag and it's not nearly that different from a single cask 15 (bourbon or sherry) when you really get into it. Taste - This is so smooth, easy drinking, and yet it's got a complex and nuanced finish. Buttery and savory meets honey and light toasted oak. Smoke, toffee, chocolate, waxy oils, and just chewy. I love the balvenie malt. It's among the best malts in the world. That said... So I thought I had a 15 sherry around, I don't so I'm opening a 15 bourbon. Lets compare. Oh man...first taste and I'm thinking I have a pick. Those old 15 year old (this is 16) bourbon single casks have something magical about them. They have this dusty funky awesome element with that EPIC balvenie malt. And this one is no exception, it's truly amazing for what it was....a well under 100 dollar scotch!. So if the 1509 better than the 15 year? I think so....but I'm not saying it's for sure. I've had great 1509. This batch 6 doesn't wow me. So I'm at a 2.75 here. Pass guys. Buy the 15 sherry or bourbon cask if you can find them for up to 85% the price of this.
About this bottle
The Balvenie Tun 1509 is limited edition series which features single malts selected and blended by malt master David Stewart. These whiskies are then allowed to mature further in the distillery's Warehouse 24 in a large vat dubbed Tun 1509. The series first launched in 2014 and is released annually. Batch 6 features 21 rare casks -- American oak ex-bourbon, refill sherry butts, and refill sherry butts which formerly held single malt that became The Balvenie DoubleWood -- that then matured for an additional 3 months in Tun 1509. Bottled at 50.4% ABV without an age statement. Available globally beginning October 2019.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 8 parsed reviews.
(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual Premium Whisky Tasting, 27 November 2020). Nose: Honey, golden syrup, floral Palate: Full and with a beautifully rich mouthfeel. Dark caramelised oranges, sweet and spicy. Finish: Sweet & Spicy, barley sugar sweets, oak, pepper and ginger. There is more of a feeling than a taste - it has a well crafted feel to it. This is an excellent whisky, but I don't think the price point is really justified. My score does not include any price reference, but I personally couldn't justify the price against other 'premium' whiskies. Came last of the six whiskies, with 0% (0) of the final vote for favourite of the night. (61% of those present said they enjoyed the whisky). This was a very close second for me. Unfortunately, someone in the tasting told everyone the price before the end - the idea being you vote before knowing the price so that it doesn't affect your vote. I suspect the price put a lot of people off from voting based on the discussion and the chat.
High ABV hit hard, pushing into the nose to wake me up. Being I’m not a high ABV fan, I added two drops of water. This completely changed the feel, mellowing the high ABV feel and allowing the flavors to come through. Flavors of chocolate, oak, and Italian herbs. Sweeter flavors into the back of the mouth with a long finish.
This is probably the smoothest scotch I've ever had. My favorite prior to tasting this was the Macallan Rare Cask. The Balvenie TUN Batch 6 tops it. New favorite!
Was able to do this just down the road at the Tannochbrae!
Very little smoke. Incredible depth of flavor
2 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Same style and price bracket, best rated first.
