Balvenie 21yr Portwood Finish - Review

[jwise]

We cracked open the bottle of the Balvenie 21yr Portwood tonight for Christmas, and enjoyed a delicious dram of the sweet nectar held within.



Here are my tasting notes:

Nose: Sweet nectar, honey, and warm goodness. Absolute delight. Soft candy, toffee, and a slight port (that's not surprising, huh?) aroma. I could nose this whisky all night long, except that its taste is even better! Coming back after a taste, I pick up gardenia, and other aromatic floral notes.

Body: Soft body, almost delicate. Light and buttery.

Palate: OH MY GOODNESS! This whisky is buttery smooth and sweet as honey! The floral notes are subtle, but the port comes out strong. Being a port lover, this is a VERY good thing. A slight alcohol burn lights up the sides of the mouth, reminding me it is not a butterscotch liqueur, but straight whisky I am sipping. The finish is remarkable, delivering a soft, sweet aroma. I could literally drink this whisky all night long. There are spicy notes that develop as well, perhaps cinnamon?

The sensation on my tongue is wonderful, building in strength, numbing the sides of my mouth. I can't help but hold this warm, delicate dram in my mouth. The glass is almost empty, and I am growing sad, realizing this is the end of my tasting for the day.

[Black0989]

See youre in houston, glad toknow someone is here locally. Enjoyed your review of the Portwood, going to buy a bottle in the near future.

[Jojo]

Excellent tasting notes - thanks jwise!

Definitely an interest piquing review. I am just now researching single malts, and this particular bottle has stuck out to me as something I must try in the future.

I need to find a good liquor store in my area with a good selection so I can get started properly.

[jwise]

If you want to try the Balvenie 21yr, the easiest way is to find a Balvenie sample pack:



This is how I first tasted the 21yr, and is the ONLY reason I was willing to pay the entry price for a bottle. If I didn't already know how it tasted (and that I LOVED it!), I would never have paid the bottle price.

The Sample Pack was $15.99, well worth it for a taste of three of the best whiskies in their respective price points: 12yr Doublewood, 15yr Single Barrel, and 21yr Portwood.

[Gary Wells]

I've got a bottle tucked away, not necessarily for a special occasion, but just until it's turn has been chosen. As I just opened last night a bottle of Bunnahabhain Signatory un-chill filtered heavily peated, that's about 14 drinks worth at a dram a night. I am looking forward to sampling the portwood though. Happy Holidays to all.

[michael]

Yes, one of my favs! Not sure why jwise was in banned status but I am sure it was a mistake. I lifted it.

[jwise]

Thanks, Michael. I guess I was posting too much?

[jwise]

While pouring a drink for my in-laws (brother & father), I asked my sister-in-law if she would like a taste. This is the same sister-in-law who "really wanted to get into drinking Scotch", after reading a series of books in which the heroine drank Scotch whisky. The first few tastes I gave her at the time (couple years ago) were not very appealing to her, and she gave up on whisky.

Well, after seeing the hoopla over the Portwood, she gave it a taste. She LOVED it! She was so surprised to have enjoyed it so much. She was quickly asking what else I had with me (as we are staying at her house through New Years) that was similar. I had to tell her that nothing was similar to Portwood, but I had others she might enjoy in a different way.

By the end of the night, I had around ten bottles of whisk[e]y lined up on the counter, and she had tasted every one (and ranked them!)

So, as best as I can remember, here is the rankings of a novice whisky drinker:

The ones she LIKED:
1) Balvenie 21yr Portwood
2) Balvenie 15yr Single Barrel
3) Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask
4) Glenrothes Select Reserve

The ones she would drink again:
5) Chivas 12yr
6) Tomatin 12yr
7) Famous Grouse

The ones she NEVER wants to drink again:
8) Cragganmore 12yr
9) Cutty Sark (hahaaha!)
10) Buffalo Trace (bourbon)
11) Knob Creek 9yr (bourbon)

After that night, she's tried Highland Park 12yr, Bunnahabhain 12yr, and The Dalmore Gran Reserve, and she liked each of them!

Well, for this OUTSTANDING achievement, I gifted her with the 3-bottle sample pack from The Balvenie. She deserves it!

[newwhiskyworld]

I ahve also been on the Balvenie 21YO recently. All I would add to the tasting notes here is that I find the Port a little stronger - certainly a good thing.

It picks up the cask but does not mask the natural honey character of The Balvenie.

Jonny.

www.newwhiskyworld.blogspot.com

[Islay Peat]

This has been on my radar for months now and I'm going to have to track down one of the sample packages of it.

[WhiskySnob]

tried the port wood 21 last year and loved it, i tried the Glenfarclas 21 after it and thought even though it was done in Spanish Oloros sherry barrel's it turned out a little more savory than i would have thought but i bet you would love it if you liked the Balvenie

[LostBoyScout]

Originally Posted by jwise

So, as best as I can remember, here is the rankings of a novice whisky drinker:

The ones she LIKED:
1) Balvenie 21yr Portwood
2) Balvenie 15yr Single Barrel
3) Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask
4) Glenrothes Select Reserve

The ones she would drink again:
5) Chivas 12yr
6) Tomatin 12yr
7) Famous Grouse

The ones she NEVER wants to drink again:
8) Cragganmore 12yr
9) Cutty Sark (hahaaha!)
10) Buffalo Trace (bourbon)
11) Knob Creek 9yr (bourbon)

After that night, she's tried Highland Park 12yr, Bunnahabhain 12yr, and The Dalmore Gran Reserve, and she liked each of them!

Well, for this OUTSTANDING achievement, I gifted her with the 3-bottle sample pack from The Balvenie. She deserves it!

I would be very curious as to her reaction had you poured her a dram of Ardbeg 10 or similar.

Interesting that she didn't like the Cragganmore. That was one of my first bottles of single malt and I find it very palatable, along with the Balvenies listed (I have the Caribbean Cask and Single Barrel also). I see you lined up the ones you figured she'd like though. It's always fun to throw a curveball in there (like a massive Islay)

Currently I'm nursing a Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or and seems it might be up her alley!

[Jojo]

LostBoyScout - I second the Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or - it's one of my favorites! Also with you on the Cragganmore - liked it the first time I had it - very palatable. As for that Balvenie 21 yr Portwood - it's incredible

[jwise]

My local shop still has those 3-packs for $15.99. Such a great deal.

I have had the Glenfarclas 21 and 25. They are good. The 15yr is better; it is amazing.

The Balvenie 21yr is so stink'n expensive, now. Last I saw, it was selling for $220 or more. That is crazy. I spent just barely over that for a bottle of Glenrothes 1972, which is a 32 year old whisky that is unbelievably good.

I need to do a review of it.

[Islay Peat]

Originally Posted by jwise

My local shop still has those 3-packs for $15.99. Such a great deal.

Wish I could find sample sizes of any Balvenie product, but in Alaska we're a bit short on selection at times.
Thinking of calling the local distributor or asking one of the shops if they can get a bit wider range of samplers in stock.

[oscarswanson]

I know this thread has been inactive for a while BUT....
I just found a couple of bottles of the Balvenie 21 at a store close to home that always had very high prices.
I was there for some beer but thought I would look at the scotch for the heck of it.
The Balvenie 21 Portwood was $108.00 per bottle.
I think the cheapest I had found this was about $179.00 at a discount store that is known for great prices.
I feel like I scored.

[jwise]

I would have bought BOTH bottles! Holy cow, I think they misprinted the tag ($108 instead of $180).

Amazing whisky....

[Islay Peat]

Absolutely great price for the Portwood - wish I were close enough to stop by and have a try. Like JWise said, you should probably buy all of them.

[oscarswanson]

jwise & islay,
Took your advise and went back for the other bottle.
I even came clean and told him about the pricing to see what would happen.
He just looked in the computer and said "nope that is the correct price".
I hope they have more in the back room. maybe I can stop buy every payday and pick another up.
That's how I picked up several bottles of the TUN 1401 batch #3.

[john_b]

Definitely on the wish list! Around here it's $189.00 so it'll be a while before I step up to that.

[Islay Peat]

Originally Posted by oscarswanson

jwise & islay,
Took your advise and went back for the other bottle.
I even came clean and told him about the pricing to see what would happen.
He just looked in the computer and said "nope that is the correct price".
I hope they have more in the back room. maybe I can stop buy every payday and pick another up.
That's how I picked up several bottles of the TUN 1401 batch #3.

Just have a toast to us later.

Can't remember the price right off the bat, but it seems that it's over $200 here.

[valuetl]

I heard good things about this dram from my friend also. Once I finish the fine bottle of Roasted Malt I have, I'll order up the Portwood. Sounds dreamy !

Thanks jwise.. Nice information..

[njscotchy]

Hi, new to this forum, want to thank you all for your reviews of the 21 portwood. Just wish I had found thebforum before wasting $ on Macallan 15, significajtly overpriced and simple "no complexity". I'd rate myself as a budding (7 yrs) scotch drinker. So far my prefers are in descending order:
1. Balvenie 14 carribean
2. Highland park 14
3. The Glenmorangie's

I don't like the.Macallan or any of the.Johnny Walkers.

Any suggestions between the Bal 14 Carribean and Bal 21 ? Looking for something.more complex, smooth, a little more peaty.

Again thx for your reviews, very helpful.

[jwise]

I just finished off my bottle of Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask last night.

I've never had Highland Park 14 yr. The 12yr is good, but the 18yr is where it is at! HP18 is some of the best stuff out there.

Try the Balvenie 17yr Doublewood. It is head and shoulders better than the 12yr Doublewood, which is itself very good.

For something smooth, a little spicy, a little sweet, and all-together wonderful, try the Glenfarclas 15/17/21/25 year. They are similar, with the 15yr being the best, followed by the 25, 21, and finally the 17yr. However, they are all excellent.