The Balvenie 21 Portwood

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

Loved the aroma and amazing flavor of this whisky. Simply one of the smoothest and silkiest liquor single malt I have come across. Standing ovation to this beautiful spirit made by the best in the business. 

Occasion- Friend's 40th birthday celebration 

SJ's Pro tip- Amazing as a gift for special occasions

Alternates- Glenlivet 21 Archive

Food Pairing- Spicy Chinese firecracker chicken

Feel(After Drinking)- Beyond delighted😍

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Great things don't need a lot of words to explain, this is one of them. Reads the product label "In the making of the Balvenie Portwood, our malt master carefully selects rare reserves of Balvenie and transfers them to port casks for a further few months of maturation". Basically, the First period of maturation is over more than two decades mellows the spirit, and builds character. The second cask aging is at the heart of The Balvenie Porwood and produces a single malt of remarkable complexity.  

Vital Stats- The Balvenie 21 finished in Portwood port casks

Price-  $269.99

Age- 21 years

ABV-  43%

Region- Speyside

Distillery- The Balvenie Distilling Company, Bannfshire, Scotland

Awards won- Gold 2020, International Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky tumbler

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Beautiful dark amber

Aroma- Floral, perfume, chocolate

Flavor- Light sweet chocolate, apple, vanilla,

Body- Medium bodied

Finish- Silky smooth, long, gentle & lingering

I am so glad to enjoy one of the finest whiskies out on the market and hope you will too. 

Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast insted

Chivas Royal Salute 21

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

A true salute to great craftsmanship, smooth as silk, aromatic and exceptionally flavorful. You will have to try it to find out. Also, it comes in a very elegant flagon glazed in sapphire hue. The whole drinking experience is heighted because of the packaging. 

Occasion- Cabo Bachelor's Party

SJ's Pro tip- Pop one open on special occasions

Alternates- Glenlivet 21 archive

Food Pairing- Grilled lamb with Mexican rice

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Reads the product story in the attractive packaging "Royal Salute was created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and has since been the official partner of all ceremonial royal gun salutes fired at the Tower of London"

The blend is a result of a selection of rare and exceptional Scotch whiskies, including precious whiskies carefully watched over at the Royal Salute Vault destined to create the perfect expression. The age statement 21 implies that the selected whiskies have matured for at least 21 years before the magic of blending. 

Vital Stats- Chival Royal Salute 21 blended scotch whisky

Price- $127.50

Age- 21 years

ABV- 40%

Region/Country- Scotland

Distillery- Chivas Brothers Distillers, Keith, Scotland

Awards won- 2021, Double gold & gold in International Spirits Challenge. 

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Dark gold

Aroma- Fruits, hints of chocolate, spices, oak, vanilla

Flavor- Spices, chocolate, vanilla, peppermint, citrus

Body- Full

Finish- Smooth, warm, long lingering & spicy

I loved reviewing this amazing whisky and am sure you enjoy it as well. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast

Plantation Artesenal Rum

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

Great for cocktails but not practical for sipping because it has a high ABV of 69%

Occasion- Christmas

SJ's Pro tip- Use 1oz instead of the standard 1.5 oz of this spirit. Why? Apparently, it has almost twice the alcohol content.

Alternates- Khukuri rum from Nepal for sipping

Cocktails- Mai Tai

Feel(After Drinking)- Delighted

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Plantation Artisonal rum, the product packaging is the most confusing thing. It says a product of Barbados but bottled in France. There is information overload but no information regarding where this rum actually comes from or how it is made. 

My guess is that it is a private label but sourced from the Caribbean.  If anyone from plantation rum is readying this I would like them to share the proper information. 

About Plantation OFTD 69, it is crafted/blended quite well had has a unique artisanal taste to it. By artisanal, I mean high quality. 

Vital stats- Plantation Artesenal Rum O.F.T.D(Old Fashioned Traditional Dark)

Price- $41.99 for 1-liter bottle

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 69%

Region/Country- Barbados

Distillery/Bottled by Maison Ferrand, France

Awards won- Several awards including Gold Medal, 2018 World Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Tumbler

Serving style- Neat and Mai Tai Cocktail

Appearance- Dark

Aroma- Spices, medicinal

Flavor- Fruity, spicy

Body- Full 

Finish- Warm, lingering

I absolutely enjoyed drinking this one. Happy New year 2023! Cheers 🥃🥃🥃Enjoy Responsibly

Taking a week off so the next blog will be published January 17th 2023. 

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