The latest from Balvenie is a trio of 17-year-old whiskies aged in different casks. The brand’s regular 17 gets to spend an additional period of maturation in rum casks from Jamaica, Madeira wine casks from Portugal and peaty whisky casks from their own backyard and the result is a great lesson in the extent to which wood affects whisky.
The rum cask is honeyed, peppery, citrusy and light. The Madeira is richer and tastes almost as if someone dusted cocoa powder over it. The peaty cask is unexpectedly smoky, but a little water subdues it substantially to bring out tropical fruit and floral notes.
You’ll find them for $175 each at Hermitage.
