New Release – Tasting the Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch #2

The Balvenie Tun 1401 is a relatively new release, and is very intriguing since batch #1 was highly acclaimed (Sadly i did not get to try that one, and it’s now all gone). So what is Tun 1401? basically it’s a special vatting of hand picked casks by the Balvenie malt master David Stewart. David selected 10 casks from the entire aging stock at the Balvenie warehouses to be vatted in a very big liquid vessel named a “Tun”. This Tun, is made of wood, and inside the liquid from all casks is allowed to “marry” as we call it. The whiskies were allowed to marry for about 3 months, after which they were bottled. The cask selection is indeed interesting : the oldest is a 1967 cask, where the rest are 1970’s and 1980’s casks. Cask type is also mixed with 70% ex-Bourbon and 30% ex-Sherry. What a lovely combination of casks, it really is thrilling to be able to try this one. And boy, it did not let me down. This batch consists of almost 3,000 bottles to be distributed in the UK and the rest of the world, with a price tag of £150. Let’s try this one.

The Balvenie Tun 1401 batch #2 , 50.6% , £150, 3000 btl.

Nose: thick rich honey with a lot of cinnamon spice. Coconut , vanilla, cloves. Some dried fruit also enter the "party". A terrific nose. Stunning.  No less. This is a all i look for in a nose. sexy and luscious.

Palate: Golden syrup, cinnamon, oak , orange peel, dark chocolate , nutmeg , sultanas and plums. Exquisite, without being too sweet, or too spicy. Balance. Balance.That’s the keyword here.

Finish: Long with Dried mango, and spice. yes, simple and on the money.

Bottom line:

I’m a big Balvenie fan, but this is cracking stuff. I’ve not had a better Balvenie. Period. It’s so harmonious, so whole.This is as closed to perfection as it gets. It really is a stunning whisky. Balanced, with a terrific nose, excellent palate, and breathtaking finish. Perfect.

Score: 96/100

Many thanks to Sam Simmons for this official sample.