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.