21 YO Balvenie Portwood

I bought a bottle of it a couple years ago for pretty much that reason. It was very good, and I savored it for many months, a bit at a time as a special treat. I don't have the palatte to justify Scotch over 100 dollars a bottle but this was a great special treat and your post has me looking forward to buying it again some day.

It's got complexity, it's smooth, and a very pleasant dram. For me, it was and will be a special occasion kind of a bottle. Worth savoring every drop.

Dave Hinz

Thanks Dave - I think I'll try a bottle. :-)

Gladys.

On Mon, 07 Aug 2006 21:06:11 -0600, the alleged Gladys, may have posted the following, to alt.drinks.scotch-whisky:

As I don't know where you are, nor your local taxation schemes I'm not going to say that the sale price seems a bit high. But the last time I bought a bottle of it it was about US$60, granted that was a few years ago and prices have gone up drastically. Considering that a few of my favorite drams were in the $35-$40 range five years ago and are now in the $60-$90 range I'd probably get a (O.K., maybe two) bottle.

The Doublewood is one of my favorites and I'd guess that you'd like the Portwood as well. I, and my housemate, liked it a bit too well and as a result it didn't last very long.

I generally like the Glenmorangies, but the Sherry finish is probably at the bottom of the list.

You'll probably love it, but if there is a local bar or pub with a good selection of single-malts you might want to try a dram first.

And about the "(so far) not much else" comment, have you tried a dram of Talisker? It's really smoky and has some of the characherestics of the Islay drams without being a "peat monster".

Regards, Rob

Robert Crowe wrote: > Considering that a few of my

The usual online discounters seem to have it in the $120 range.

Me and my housemate have the same problem, but it certainly seems like it's worth trying.

Thanks - I do not believe that I have tried Talisker. I'll give it a try sometime.

Gladys.

That is a good price. I see it at

Seems a bit high, but it is GOOD STUFF! Saw some on St. Maarten in the $65 range. Kicking myself for not buying. The Hennessey VSOP Cognac I got is something special though.

Last Doublewood I bought (month ago) was $44. The 21yo Portwood is more than twice as expensive (the age), but has about the same "rating" from Michael Jackson and the Malt Maniacs (mid-80's) which is very good.

If you like trying new stuff, then go for it. If you know you like the Doublewood and don't want to venture out to an unknown bottle (your tastes seem a bit limited, perhaps), see if you can find a sample before spending the $100 if you see that as a risk.

Thanks - just bookmarked that page!! :-)

Gladys.

The original comment:

casks as this is one of the few non-Macallan scotchs that I really like.<

Sorry! No arrogance here, but that original comment would seem to eliminate about 90% of the single malts, wouldn't it? I think your comment was a bit hasty, perhaps. The remaining 10% would include most Macallans and a "few" including Balvenie Doublewood as I read it.

If there is another interpretation, please enlighten me. I have no problem with persons liking a narrow range of certain styles of SM.

I humbly apologize for saying your comment was arrogant. I clearly mis-understood your intention. :-)

Gladys.

For a small gathering of friends last night I bought a bottle of the 21 YO Portwood and on a whim, went ahead and bought a bottle of 10 YO Talisker for our sampling pleasure.

The Balevenie was good, but the consensus of our small group of 4 was that we actually preferred the 12 YO Doublewood. That's good, since it it is less than half the price. ;-)

One in our group liked the Talisker. He was allowed to carry the remains of the bottle home. :-)

Gladys.

I want to come to your next party as you give good parting gifts:)