Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:39 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Balvenie 17 vs Balvenie 21 in this in-depth comparison and decide which Single Malt is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Balvenie 17 vs Balvenie 21: Comparison
Balvenie DoubleWood 17: Smooth with a blend of vanilla, honey, and dried fruits, finished in sherry casks for added sweetness. Celebrates tradition with a smooth, easy-drinking profile.
Balvenie 21 Port Wood Finish: Luxurious, combining honey, dried fruit, and almond, with a unique finish in Port pipes for complexity. Award-winning, for those who value depth and a luxurious mouthfeel.
Verdict: Balvenie DoubleWood 17 and Balvenie 21 Port Wood Finish both offer distinct pleasures. The 17-year-old is approachable, with a focus on smoothness and oak sweetness, ideal for those who enjoy classic Speyside flavors. The 21-year-old appeals to the luxury seeker, offering depth, complexity, and a unique finish, perfect for the discerning palate, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Balvenie Best Whiskies
Balvenie DoubleWood 17: A Smooth Speyside Single Malt with Rich Oak Character
- Similar to: Balvenie 12 DoubleWood
The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 year old is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky known for its signature sweet oak character and smooth taste profile. This expression offers a delightful experience for those who appreciate a classic and approachable Speyside dram.
What to expect:
- Nose: An inviting aroma unfolds with notes of vanilla, dried fruits, honey, and hints of caramel.
- Palate: The whisky delivers a pleasant and oily mouthfeel, showcasing a combination of flavors including spice, toasted oak, cereal, toffee, honey, burnt sugar, cinnamon, banana, and walnuts.
- Long and satisfying finish: The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 concludes with a long and sweet finish, featuring lingering oaky notes.
More about the Balvenie 17:
- Double Maturation: This expression gets its unique flavor profile from a two-step aging process. After spending 17 years in traditional American oak barrels, it undergoes an additional 6-12 months of finishing in ex-sherry casks, contributing a touch of sweetness and complexity.
- A Celebration of Tradition: The Balvenie 17 was released in 2012 to celebrate Master Blender David Stewart’s 50th anniversary with the distillery. Balvenie remains one of the few distilleries that continues the traditional practice of floor-malting their own barley.
- Smooth and Approachable: While not the most complex single malt on the market, the Balvenie DoubleWood 17 offers a remarkably smooth and enjoyable drinking experience, particularly for those who appreciate a sweeter oak influence.
Finding the Right Fit:
If you’re looking for a Speyside whisky with a rich oak character, balanced sweetness, and a smooth and easy-drinking experience, the Balvenie DoubleWood 17 is a great choice. While the price might seem a touch high for its flavor profile, those who enjoy a more prominent oak note will find this whisky satisfying.
Considering Value:
Some reviewers have questioned the value proposition of the Balvenie DoubleWood 17 due to its lack of extreme complexity. If you’re a seasoned whisky drinker seeking the most intricate flavor profiles, you might explore other options within the Speyside region. However, for those who appreciate a classic and well-crafted Speyside dram with a focus on smoothness and rich oak character, the Balvenie DoubleWood 17 remains a delightful choice.
Balvenie 21 Port Wood Finish: A Luxurious Speyside Single Malt with Depth
- Similar to: Glenfiddich 21
The Balvenie 21 Year Old Port Wood Finish is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky renowned for its exceptional smoothness, complex flavor profile, and unique finishing process. This whisky caters to whisky enthusiasts with a taste for luxury and depth.
Aromatic Profile:
- Fruity with a twist: The nose greets you with a delightful sweetness of fig, plum, and peach, complemented by a touch of unexpected black tea character.
Tasting Experience:
- Luxurious mouthfeel: The Balvenie 21 delivers a luxuriously oily and warming mouthfeel, without being overpowering or heavy.
- Smooth and complex: The whisky unfolds with a smooth and sweet taste profile, showcasing a delightful interplay of honey, dried fruit, almond, and pecan notes.
- Lingering finish: The experience lingers with a pleasant and complex finish featuring hints of burnt caramel, ginger, and dark chocolate. A dash of water can further enhance the experience by revealing floral and oak notes.
Beyond the Sip:
- Award-Winning Excellence: The Balvenie 21 has garnered recognition for its quality, receiving Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2009 and 2012, and earning high scores from the Beverage Testing Institute.
- Unique Port Pipe Finish: This whisky’s unique character comes from its aging process. After spending years maturing in traditional bourbon barrels, it undergoes an additional finish in 30-year-old Port pipes. These large oak casks contribute rich and complex flavors, while ensuring a well-balanced sweetness that doesn’t overpower the palate.
A Splurge for the Discerning Palate:
The Balvenie 21 Port Wood Finish carries a premium price tag. However, it offers a truly exceptional whisky experience, boasting impressive smoothness, depth of flavor, and a unique finishing touch. This is a whisky for those who appreciate luxury and a well-rounded dram that pairs well with cigars. For budget-conscious whisky lovers, exploring the Balvenie range might offer alternative expressions that capture the distillery’s character at a more accessible price point.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Balvenie 17 | $180 |
| Balvenie 21 | $300 |