Review: Balvenie 1976 Vintage
September 7th, 2008This is one of three new Balvenie whiskies being released this fall, and it’s my favorite of the three. I’ll post my review of the other two over the next two days.
The Balvenie Vintage Cask, 1976 vintage, 53%, $800
Very spicy and complex, with incredible depth. Once again, this 30-plus year old whisky proves the aging ability of Balvenie. Still quite vibrant and invigorating for such a mature whisky. The classic Balvenie honey note is there, but more reserved, along with graham cracker, vanilla wafer, citrus peel, raspberry (red and black), nectarine, and polished oak. Long, spicy finish. (Another outstanding Balvenie Vintage Cask. Although, I remember when I was shocked when the Balvenie vintages were selling for $400. Now it’s $800.)
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 94
September 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Hi John -
You’ve recently mentioned, and to a certain extent excecuted with success, the desire for more reader input on this blog. One topic I’d like to discuss/see discussed is these recent dramatic price increases. I think it would be great too hear from all sides including consumers, retailers, reporters, distributers, manufacturers, etc… How much can be attributed to increasing costs of production (supply side) and how much can be attributed to the willingness of drinkers/collectors to pay top dollar for items like a Balvenie 1976? Not to go off on a tangent, but I think we’re seeing a similar trend on concert tickets, where the artists and distributors are setting their initial prices in line with what scalpers are charging versus the traditional pricing formula of production cost + defined profit margin.
That’s all.
Jon
September 7th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Jon, I agree. Stay tuned.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I think a number of industries are now asking the question “why are we leaving profits to the secondary market.” My speculation is that the whisky industry does not operate on narrow margins, despite some (anecdotal) groaning we hear over supply and production costs. But I agree with Jon, and look forward to your thoughts/inputs/conversations/relays on this topic.
Also, to clarify a topic on the 1976 - I notice there are TWO casks mentioned on the Balvenie site… 6568 and 6570, that produced 433 bottles. I picked up a bottle from cask 6568 and noticed it is out of 202 bottles. So I assume there are 231 bottles of the 6570 floating around there. Are my assumptions correct, and were those from 6570 bottled at 700 and 750 or just 700. Mine from 6568 was sourced in the US and is at 750 and I notice it is also sold in the UK at 700.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:53 am
I’ll approach my Balvenie contact and see if I can get him to answer this question (and your Signature question).
September 9th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I can’t speak for the Scots on the price issue but I absolutely agree with orangedog when it comes to the Americans and figure it must translate across the pond, too. Money was being made until very recently on (damn good) ten year old bourbon, bottled at 86 proof, at $12 a bottle. Now the same distillery is offering a much older product (27 years) at $200. Does the extra 17 years really demand a hundred percent markup on the ten year price for each year in the rickhouse?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that these guys are making a bigger nut than they did during so many leaner years, but it makes it hard for the average guy (i.e. me and you) to afford what’s now being sold as premium whisk(e)y.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I think Jon W. hit the nail on the head when he made a reference to concert tickets and scalping. The whiskey companies are pricing their premium products at the level of what the market will bear. Fair enough. But it does make it hard for the “regular guy” to pony up the $$ for them.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
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