Balvenie A Day of Dark Barley 26 YO

Balvenie A Day of Dark Barley 26 YO, 47.8 %

There are a number of single cask bottlings of this whisky released both in 2020 and 2021. My dram was from cask #6838. All 1st fill ex-bourbon.

Here is the official description of the product:

“The arrival at the distillery of a batch of dark roasted malted barley, more commonly used in the production of stout, marked the beginning of a 26-year long experiment. The result was a pleasing depth – smokiness and oakiness as well as the classic honey, vanilla and citrus flavours.”

The Balvenie A Day of Dark Barley 26 YO is available to buy in Norway at NOK 6999 (11401601).

Nose: Malty chocolate. Softly floral. Coffee beans and cocoa nibs drizzled with honey. Dark and delicious.

Taste: Rich and full bodied. The coffee beans and cocoa nibs take to the stage first, closely followed by bitter-ish herbal honey, white pepper, earthy vanilla and cinnamon. Fizzy ginger.

Finish: Really long finish. More of all the initial goodness, with added citrus - fresh mandarins and orange zest. Oaky spiciness in the end.

Comment: A lovely, dark Balvenie!

Score 92/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas