
December 23, 2025

Little Duos, today Balvenie, official vs secret indie

Because after all, we can’t decently let the year come to an end without enjoying a bit more Balvenie, can we? One of my favourite distilleries in its classic expressions, with notes reminiscent of plums and quinces…

Balvenie 12 yo 2012/2025 (47.2%, OB, A Collection of Curious Casks, European Oak Montilla Wine Seasoned, cask #18515)

Il would appear this was a full maturation in a cask seasoned with wine from Montilla-Moriles, though it’s not entirely clear what style of Montilla was involved—PX dulce, oloroso, amontillado, fino? … Colour: gold. Nose: it does seem to have been a sweet wine, there’s a slightly muscat-like note, or perhaps muscadelle in the Sauternes style (though that’s not found in Andalusia, I believe), and yet—almost miraculously—the Balvenie markers remain intact, notably mirabelle plums and quince (either paste or tart). In short, the cask and distillate aromas have remained fairly adjacent… Subtle, discreet touches of rose petals as well. Mouth: indeed, one could say this is Balvenie, lightly elevated, with fairly spicy European oak though never excessive, bringing notes of Christmas spices, mulled white wine, cinnamon… Beneath that, tiny bits of citrus zest and dried fig. Finish: medium in length, nicely balanced between fruit and some herbal infusions… of the festive sort. A touch of pepper in the aftertaste. Comments: lovely bottle.
SGP:651 - 85 points.

Speyside 29 yo 1988/2017 (49.7%, Le Gus’t, Selection XI, Blended Malt, hogshead, cask #403, 262 bottles)

Rumour has it this is Burnside, and thus Balvenie, and in that case it’s always worth checking whether there are other bottlings from these vintages, which indeed there are (late 1980s through to mid-1990s). This sort of thing usually comes from parcels of casks hitting the market via brokers or other intermediaries. In fact, we already tasted an excellent Burnside 1989/2025 from Le Gus’t earlier this year. Colour: gold. Nose: industrial levels of fir honey! Plus beeswax polish, actual beeswax, fresh mastic, Turkish delights, oriental pastries, mullein syrup, quince paste… All rather sublime. Mouth: the oak is more prominent here, and the fir honey has turned into fir buds, with all manner of herbal infusions, especially thyme and lime blossom. Citrus and mirabelle plums then step in to bring some balance, along with a hint of white chocolate and, fancy that, barley syrup. Finish: rather long, held up by the citrus which reins in the tannicity of the whole affair. Comments: magnificent bottle, shame we’re eight years late to the party. Yep, I am slightly embarrassed…
SGP:661 - 91 points.

(Thanks, Wouter)

Check the index of all Balvenie we've tasted