Balvenie 23 yo 1966 / 1989 Signatory #2832+33 52% vs Balvenie-Glenlivet “As we get it” 105.2 proof 75.7cl
Balvenie 23 yo 1966 / 1989 Signatory #2832+33 52%
Top tier Balvenie, with much to prefer over its sister distillery. This is an ample whisky with supple oils, paraffin and deeply resinous sap. We get warm ambrette, lanolin and other salubrious oils of meditative effect. A drop of bacon grease and one smear of soot. Warm wax rolled in your hands, dried grapefruit slices and dried thyme. Pristine yet layered, a coherent simplicity done with great flair. The opposite of a sherrybomb Balvenie but a winner for me. 91 pts
Balvenie-Glenlivet “As we get it” 105.2 proof 75.7cl
Not much information on these labels but this is clearly an older bottle. So here we have a younger, brasher version of the 1966. But certain markers are common to both: A generously proportioned spirit, warm wax, viscous and oily but this one take a turn for livelier yellow hues of hay, and baked fruit. At time its also reminiscent of oaky white wine with little tangy mineral facets. Just a bit of dusty rye and cedro eau de vie. Other than the evident youth, we are very much on the same path as the 1966. 88 pts
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