| #002 Balvenie 15 YO Single Barrel Single Malt Scotch (Speyside) |
| This cost is what I found the likely shelf price for a 750ml bottle to be, based on an average of costs throughout the USA. Your price may differ significantly. This is not an advertisement of sale, this bottle is likely empty by now anyway Cost | $6500 |  |
| Bottler | Official Bottling |
| 00-09: | Horrid | | 10-19: | Awful | | 20-29: | Unpleasant | | 30-39: | Poor | | 40-49: | Below Average | | 50-59: | Average | | 60-69: | Recommendable | | 70-79: | Very Good | | 80-89: | Excellent | | 90-99: | Fantastic |
Taste Score | 64 |
| The whisky's score as weighed against the cost of a bottle. Adj. Score | 47 |
| ABV | 43% |
| Awards |  |
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| Tasting # 78: Friday Leftovers V: Mini Balvenies (23-FEB-2007) |
| Notes | A Trio of Balvenies has finally become mine (precious) and will allow me to update Every  Balvenie I have. The first two are the youngest. The scores don't change, although it was nice to get better pictures and notes for some of the oldest tastings on the list. The 15 is, in fact, the first review from the legacy list and the 12 is long overdue for a full retaste. The 21 is going on the shelf for a tasting in the near future. |
| Smell | N/A |
| Taste | At full go this is pretty sharp, there's a lot of bite to the first sip but the finish suggests a much better glass waiting to be unlocked. Adding water cuts the burn some and brings spice and oak way out in front, drops to smoke and butterscotch during the solid finish. It's enjoyable but unbalanced. I fear adding any more water, I'm pretty sure I'll lose what's here. In the end the mid-60 score stands. Its a good glass, an interesting glass and worth getting to know, but I don't plan on buying it again when there are better versions within Balvenie's line and beyond. |
| Legacy Score | 64 |
| Tasting # 2: Archive Review: Balvenie 15 YO Single Barrel (22-SEP-2004) |
| Notes | Archived Review |
| Smell | Pretty sharp, but it is 48%ABV. Tons of wood and sherry. Some sweetness, not quite honey or sugar. |
| Taste | Balvenie 15 is sharp and powerful, both in the alcohol kick and a spike of taste right out of the glass. I added water to unlock the sherry and charred oak flavors, but it's still quite fierce on the tongue. There doesn't seem a balance point for me in watering down the complex bite and not drowning the other flavors. This one is a sentimental favorite, but for the price I have others I'm much happier with. Go with the 12 DW or 21 if you want to sample the best of Balvenie. |
| Tasting Score | 64 |
