The Balvenie is a distillery with a rich history of experimentation with sherry-cask maturation. Here, they’ve used a Pedro Ximénez sherry butts to finish off an eighteen-year-old whisky. It’s the second sherry-finished expression in this range. Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The Balvenie Madeira Cask 15YO is a lively and summery single malt finished in casks previously held sweet Madeira wine.Nose. Overflowing flavours of blackcurrants and brambles slowly layer upon gingery syrup and delicate spice. Taste. Ripe fruitness from fresh peaches lead to a citrus orange zing, hazelnuts and crisp oakiness coating the pallet. Finish. Long lasting.

NOSE Rich and deep, lots of exotic and elegant oak notes, followed by sweeter aromas of dried fruits raisins and dates, then a spicy outburst of ground ginger and some melted brown sugar. PALATE Rich and lush and slightly tangy with candied orange peel, lots of oak vanilla. some golden syrup, layers of honeycomb, toasted hazelnuts with some spicy ginger and nutmeg to finish. FINISH Sweet and malty with oak vanilla and spices.

Taste: NOSE. Aromatic and lively, aromas of vanilla and spice evocative of dried clove and chai are layered on a base of earthly, malty undertones reminiscent of Balvenie’s own Barley loft.TASTE. A perfect complement of light oatmeal syrupiness and brittle toffee are followed by delicate hints of spice and a rich drying sensation from European Oak. FINISH. Lingering, lasting dry oak.