The Balvenie 15 Years Madeira Cask
The Balvenie 15 Years Madeira Cask is a Travel Exclusive bottling from the distillery located in Speyside, Scotland. Not much is really known about the bottling - there was no press release or anything like that. The bottles just turned up. Most of the time, the single malt was matured in ex-bourbon casks before it was decanted into Madeira casks from the Portuguese sunny island of the same name for the finish.
Tasting Notes
Nose
We immediately smell a wild mix of nuts. Sweetish and with a slight gummy bear aroma, a combination of various berries follows, like those found in the frozen berry mix, i.e. cherries, currants, raspberries. A gentle vanilla-cinnamon-floral-honey jumble lies over everything. Very very pleasant.
Palate
The Speysider single malt opens just as nutty as the nose. More nuts follow with malty intense oak spice, a little bitter orange marmalade paired with ginger and a pinch of pepper. Later, a fruitiness of stone fruit comes through - we're thinking flat peaches - which integrates beautifully with yet more oak and cinnamon. All in all, a good sweet and sour combination.
Finish
The finish of the scotch is medium long, slightly spicy, slightly dusty and of course nutty.
Thoughts
Marcel 80/100
A genuine Speyside delight with plenty of nuttiness and a fruity explosion of berries – perfect for those who enjoy it sweet and spicy. Sure, the oak spice puts on the brakes a bit, but that doesn’t make it any less likeable. For a travel release, it’s a solid companion that’s enjoyable without being overwhelming.
Sascha 80/100
Structurally, the Balvenie 15 Year Madeira Cask shows a balanced interplay between nutty notes and fruity accents, although the dominant oak spice somewhat overpowers the flavor. The medium-length spiciness on the finish adds complexity, yet it lacks a clear focus to truly stand out. A decent, but not exceptional, travel exclusive single malt from Speyside.
Value for Money: Fair
Discover our value for money winnersRelated Reviews
Knockando 12 Years
Knockando 12 is considered the classic entry-level single malt, representative of Speyside, with a fruity, nutty flavour profile.Knockando mainly produces malts for blends. Nevertheless there are some own bottlings which are traded under the name of the distillery Knockando (Gaelic for: Little Black Hill).
66/100
Glenlivet 12 Years Double Oak
The Glenlivet distillery engages in a fierce battle year after year with Glenfiddich for the crown of the best-selling Single Malt Scotch. Especially in the USA, The Glenlivet enjoys extremely high popularity. The distillery in Scotland's Speyside region is owned by Pernod Ricard and is therefore also included in their blend products such as Chivas Regal. Today, we have the Glenlivet 12 - arguably the most prolific bottling from the core range - in our glass.
73/100
Glenfarclas 15 Years
Glenfarclas 15 years is a whisky that embodies the spirit of independence. As a traditional single malt from the Speyside region, which has been run by the Grant family for generations, it stands for quality and authenticity. A true classic.
80/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Madeira cask finish influence the flavor of The Balvenie 15 Year Madeira Cask?
The Madeira cask finish imparts a fruity sweetness with notes of berries and stone fruit, along with a subtle spicy element that complements the whisky’s nutty and vanilla profile.
Why is The Balvenie 15 Year Madeira Cask available as a Travel Exclusive?
This bottling was produced exclusively for the travel retail market and is therefore typically only available in duty-free shops at airports or on cruises, which limits its availability.
What role does maturation in bourbon casks play before the Madeira finish?
The extended maturation in bourbon casks provides the whisky’s characteristic vanilla and oak spice, which is then enhanced by the subsequent Madeira finish with fruity and spicy aromas.