Balvenie Scotch Whisky Hosts an In-Office Tasting

Image via Complex Original

Last Friday the industrious artisans from Scotland's Balevenie distillery, led by brand rep Andrew Weir, rolled through Complex for an in-office tasting of four different spirits. Balvenie is one of the premier producers of scotch, and under the William Grant and Sons umbrella, which also includes Hendrick's Gin, Sailor Jerry Rum, and Tullemore Dew.

Andrew led us through the tasting, which featured drams of the DoubleWood, the Caribbean Cask, the PortWood, and the exclusive Tun 1401.

DoubleWood

The DoubleWood is a 12 year old single malt, meaning all the whisky comes from the same distillery (as opposed to a blend, which uses whiskies from multiple distilleries). It's a sweet liquor, with shades of vanilla and honey, closer in spirit to an American whiskey.

Caribbean Cask

The Caribbean Cask is a 14 year old whisky made distinctive by the flavor of the rum casks the spirit is finished in. The rum casks lend the whisky fruit and toffee notes that finish soft and long. It's very smooth, the sort of scotch you might give to someone who claims to not enjoy it, or who hasn't tried much.

PortWood

The PortWood single malt is of drinking age, that is to say it's a 21-year-old. Because it's finished in casks that once held port wine, the whisky has a dark, nutty quality, as well as rich raisin notes. It's soft and silky; you want it in your mouth.

Tun 1401

It's almost mean to tell you about the Tun 1401, as it's so exclusive you may have difficulty finding some (though you're going to want to). But here goes. Tun 1401 draws on ten different casks from the Balvenie distillery, some as old as 1967. It contains a higher proof than any of the other whiskies Andrew poured, and your mouth quickly realized that. There was some fire in this bottle, though not anything like the crappy brown liquors we got sick off of in college. The finish is crazy long, like you're still sipping, though you've clearly set your glass down. There are notes of lemon zest and spice. Trust us—you'll want to try this.

Andrew Weir

Above you'll find an image of the charismatic and knowledgeable Andrew Weir, the Balvenie ambassador for the Eastern US. Quick with a joke, and not above making a Sir Mix-A-Lot reference if the occasion calls for it, Weir is a boss through and through. Rick Ross grunt for him.