The Balvenie 15yo Single Barrel Sherry Cask, Speyside (47.8% abv)

Unveiled in 2014, the 15 Year Old Single Barrel Sherry Cask is a wonderful sight from Balvenie – single malt Scotch whisky fully matured in Sherry casks. These are released in batches of no larger than 800 bottles from a single cask, each one being hand numbered. Although no two casks are the same, and therefore won’t produce an identical single malt, the casks are carefully selected by Balvenie’s Malt Master and feature a consistent, rich, spiced character, complimented by hints of elegant oak.

Nose: Dense Christmas cake with icing, full of sticky, syrupy dried fruits, cherries, finely chopped nuts and grated nutmeg. Flamed orange peel, ginger, a hint of struck match (but only very subtle in the sample we tasted), fresh orange segments and plums develop.

Palate: Big old fashioned Sherry matured character, more bread-like fruitcake, malt loaf and nutty Oloroso. Slightly bitter and rum-like, superb.

Finish: Spicy fruitcake with cocoa.

Overall: Classic Sherry matured whisky, really top stuff.

Master Of Malt