Tasting Notes

Producing WhiskyCast has given me the opportunity to taste some really amazing whiskies, and I’m pleased to share my tasting notes with you here. You can search my entire database of tasting notes from this page, and I hope you’ll find it useful.

The Balvenie Vintage Cask 1976

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside

Type: Single Malt

Bottler: Distiller

ABV: 53.8%

Score: 96 Points

The nose is slightly nutty and dry, with a touch of fresh sawdust. The driness extends to the taste, with a rich, complex spiciness that hints of black pepper and has just a hint of oak underneath it. A touch of water mutes the impact, but not the complexity of this spirit, which finishes with a lingering touch of smokiness that’s not peaty, but more like the damp wood chips one would use in a meat smoker. A perfect dram to sip by the fireplace!