The Balvenie 14yo Peat Week
2003 vintage
48.3%Abv
Aged in ex American oak cask
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The story of this whisky is the story of a special week (the 34th of the year here). Only once a year, during this week, The Balvenie uses 100% peated malt (from the Highlands) in the distillation process. Then, after this week, the distillery is closed for cleaning all the stills. Afterwards, the usual malt (totally unpeated) is used for the classic Balvenie stuff for another year, until the next peat-week. The Balvenie, founded by the familly William Grant & Sons (Glenfiddich and Kinninvie) in 1893 is located in Dufftown/Speyside/Scotland.
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Nose : some nice and soft fruity peat with apple, bananas and earthy flavors. Also notes of creamy vanilla sugar, grass/farm and some dry cured beef.
Palate : well balanced pastry malt notes with light smoke, few cereals (with grass again), licorice, honey and spices .
Finish : rather sweet, softly peated and smokey.
Comments : a really nice surprise, interesting, well balanced and tasty ! Love the mix of sweet&peat into this amazing whisky !