The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 16 Years French Oak

Finished in Pineau Casks This new addition to the range is a first for the distillery when it comes to both finishing barrel and oak type. The Balvenie 16 Year French Oak is finished in French oak casks that once held Pineau des Charentes. According to the description for this expression, “Charentes is a fortified wine made from unfermented grape juice, to which a Cognac eau-de-vie is added and then matured.” Nose Intense honey, orange marmalade, fresh flowers, winey sweetness, vanilla, hint of nutmeg, green grape skins, light perfume. I can tell that there’s wine cask influence here but wouldn’t be able to tell you the type on taste alone. With time and water, notes of apple danish, malt, and demarara present themselves. Taste Sharp spice at first, ginger, shortbread, icewine, key lime, Fun Dip stick, a bit of mint, some oak-driven vanilla, lemon. Water brings out a much deeper burnt sugar sweetness along with notes of grapes, cooked oats, chocolate orange, and just a bit of oak. Finish Marzipan, vanilla icing, more chocolate carries over from the palate, a bit of earthiness, more ginger (crystalized this time), grapefruit, honey, green melon. Not a huge change with water. Medium-long length and those classic, sweet Balvenie notes are the last ones to fade.