AVB
Jesus of Cool, I'm bad, I'm nationwide
1966 Balvenie Vintage Cask, 31 years old, cask strength (~91 proof), tube packaging but the majority were recalled and wood boxed, no longer normally available.
The 1966 Balvenie Vintage Cask is the most widely available of any of the Vintage Cask series so far. Unlike the other versions which range from low of 83 (1952) to a number that approach 200 bottles there were at least 2,000 bottles of 1966 produced from a number (11?) of different casks. This sample provided to me by Indyrob didn't come with any cask information but I'm sure he'll fill in that gap when he posts a follow up. The picture is of my bottles and is only a representation.
Back in 1998 when released you could pick one up for under $250 at the right place, now they can be found for $900+ (6/1/09) if you look hard enough.
I have my notes from the last bottle I had open 6-7 years ago (Cask 6432, bottle 63 of 264) so this will be interesting to see how this sample compares.
The nosing is more alcohol then I remembered or wrote down, even after sitting for 5 minutes in the glass. The typical heather and honey of The Balvenie is there just not as forward as before. Nutmeg and a trace of orange start to come out slowly after another few minutes along with a oak undertone. Fairly typical aged Balvenie. Of course, prior to this release there were only about (91, 83 & 141) 300 30+ year aged Balvenies ever so this is really the dram that started the "typical" aged Balvenie nosing.
The first taste is where things get interesting. Leather joins with the remnants of 31 years in a bourbon cask and a small citrus component all floating around together in a happy harmony. Vanillins make themselves known on the sides of the tongue along with a tingle of alcohol at the back. The finish is smooth with a longer burst of vanilla flavors mixed with warm nuts but it doesn't last nearly as long as one would want it even though in reality it is medium long.
A superlative dram that would be the centerpiece of any Speyside collection. An ACE!
Once again my heartfelt thanks to Indyrob for sending me a sample of this exquisite scotch. It brought back many good memories. :thumbs:
The 1966 Balvenie Vintage Cask is the most widely available of any of the Vintage Cask series so far. Unlike the other versions which range from low of 83 (1952) to a number that approach 200 bottles there were at least 2,000 bottles of 1966 produced from a number (11?) of different casks. This sample provided to me by Indyrob didn't come with any cask information but I'm sure he'll fill in that gap when he posts a follow up. The picture is of my bottles and is only a representation.
Back in 1998 when released you could pick one up for under $250 at the right place, now they can be found for $900+ (6/1/09) if you look hard enough.
I have my notes from the last bottle I had open 6-7 years ago (Cask 6432, bottle 63 of 264) so this will be interesting to see how this sample compares.
The nosing is more alcohol then I remembered or wrote down, even after sitting for 5 minutes in the glass. The typical heather and honey of The Balvenie is there just not as forward as before. Nutmeg and a trace of orange start to come out slowly after another few minutes along with a oak undertone. Fairly typical aged Balvenie. Of course, prior to this release there were only about (91, 83 & 141) 300 30+ year aged Balvenies ever so this is really the dram that started the "typical" aged Balvenie nosing.
The first taste is where things get interesting. Leather joins with the remnants of 31 years in a bourbon cask and a small citrus component all floating around together in a happy harmony. Vanillins make themselves known on the sides of the tongue along with a tingle of alcohol at the back. The finish is smooth with a longer burst of vanilla flavors mixed with warm nuts but it doesn't last nearly as long as one would want it even though in reality it is medium long.
A superlative dram that would be the centerpiece of any Speyside collection. An ACE!
Once again my heartfelt thanks to Indyrob for sending me a sample of this exquisite scotch. It brought back many good memories. :thumbs:
