Balvenie Distant Shores 27 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
The Balvenie 'Stories collection' is designed to bring to life the tales of "character, endeavour and craft" of those at Balvenie through the generations. This expression is not the first time Balvenie have employed a rum maturation. In fact, rum has been a part of their whisky-making for almost two decades. Serge Valentin at whiskyfun.com observes, "Don't you think this is a funny situation, whereby some distillate that was in-cask-blended with some heavy rum would remain a single malt whilst the same distillate allegedly 'teaspooned' with some light malt whisky from the same town would not?" Regardless of what you think about Scotch Whisky legislation, the rum in question is at least a very special one.
When the Master Distiller, David C. Stewart was introduced to some rare Caroni samples by Spirits salesman, John Barrett, the Balvenie team were so impressed that an order of Caroni rum was placed on the spot! Stewart later aged Balvenie in the x-Caroni rum casks for something off the beaten track.
Barrett explains "As a distillery, Caroni simply produced stunning, stunning rum. Most of it was originally used with stocks from other Caribbean islands to blend. But after the distillery closed, the stock remained. Soon after that is when I acquired what I did and transferred it back to the UK." According to Stewart, "...this Caroni cask finish is really unusual. This rum, its qualities, the wood... I haven’t ever experienced a rum finish quite like this one. The flavours speak for themselves: Rich hints of muscovado sugar and manuka honey on the nose, then lighter soft fruits and spice. On the tongue it’s got this real velvety viscosity. A sweet beginning unfolds into treacle toffee, aged leather and deep oak tannin. The finish is long and sweet, and gives wonderful mouth-coating oiliness.” 48% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews....
A little perplexed. Feels a little like more Doritos whisky, any flavours and any variations, as long as it's legal. I mean, as long as the proprietors of the brand names are okay with it, why not a Hampden finish, a Worthy Park finish, a Neisson finish, a Foursquare finish, a Bielle finish, a Bellevue finish, a Port Mourant finish, a Diplomatico finish, or an Enmore finish (spot the odd-one out)… Anyway, let's see if the mirabelles resisted the diesel oil… Colour: white wine. Nose: not a slaughter, they did it smartly, even if these whiffs of two-stroke benzine do feel a little out of place. My problem is that I love these smells of… say old Kawasaki. The mirabelles are still there having said that, and so are the quinces. Whiffs of concrete, hay, straw, wormwood, just a drop of seawater and one of olive oil… Well I just don't know how they managed to keep it balanced. Mouth: more Caroniness on the palate, which, on malt whisky, generates… a feeling of peat. Some tar as well, perhaps a little rubber, tarry olives… and rather greener, unripe fruits. Green bananas for example. Finish: long, dry, a little astringent but not unpleasant. Comments: they just shouldn't tell us. Remember the saying, it's like the law or mortadella, you shouldn't know about how it's made. It's a good drop, but you cannot escape the feeling that you could do these kinds of meta-blends yourself, with a good pipette. 85 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Rich toasted oak dusted with chocolate and cocoa notes, creamy vanilla bean, and hints of clove and cinnamon spice cover a deep layer of dried fruit and citrus peel. Taste: Elegant vanilla, dark chocolate, dried fruit and creamy caramel top layers of rich malt and oak. Finish: Velvety with a long delicately spiced caramel mocha note.