Review: Balvenie Rum Cask, 17 yr. old

September 9th, 2008

The Balvenie Rum Cask, 17 year old, 43%, $130
Rich and sweet, with toffee, coconut cream, Turkish delight, nougat and honey. Ripe black raspberry, citrus and dried spice (vanilla, fennel, and evergreen mint) provide complexity and attempt to balance all the sweetness. A pleasant dram, but I wish there was a little more there to prop up all that sweetness. A whisky for those with a sweet tooth. Good with dessert, as dessert, or with a cigar.

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 80

4 Responses to “Review: Balvenie Rum Cask, 17 yr. old”

  1. lawschooldrunk Says:

    when is this one coming out, because I missed the islay cask 17 YO release and I think the rum will make up for it.

  2. John Hansell Says:

    I’m told by the end of the month. I stil have a bottle or two of the Islay Cask 17 squirreled away. I enjoyed it.

  3. orangedogofglory Says:

    I can’t wait for this, and I expect it to be sweet like you mention.

    But I’m disappointed in the pricing. The last two (Sherry and New Oak) have been available for around $90, so this is a 44% increase. At least initially, I’ll probably only pick up two, instead of my plan for three.

  4. John Hansell Says:

    Prices of whiskies have goon up so quickly the past couple of years, I don’t even know what a good value is anymore. It’s a moving target. (Moving up, I’m afraid.)

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