In the last few years, whiskey has grown in popularity. With so many brands available and new distilleries emerging or redefining themselves, it's easy to get overwhelmed with all the options. This column is here to help you learn the basics of various whiskies, scotches and bourbons before you invest in a new bottle.
The spirit: The Balvenie Tun 1509
I had the opportunity to sit down with a good friend of mine, Jonathon Wingo, who just so happens to be the brand ambassador for The Balvenie. He was showing off one of the new and extremely rare expressions from The Balvenie, which they are calling Tun 1509.
Tun, which is pronounced "ton," is the proper name for a vessel in which different barrel aged Scotch whiskys come together and blend. The method is also called "marrying," and it allows distillers to keep every bottle of The Balvenie tasting almost identical year after year.
The reason for this expression is much more practical then one might think. The Balvenie has a stockpile of scotch from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. I know, what a horrible problem to have; however, it's a problem nonetheless -- these barrels are losing around 2 percent alcohol per year due to evaporation. Who wants to see good booze go to waste?
So these remaining aged casks will be married into a tun (number 1509, in this case) and released as a new batch each year. Each one will taste different and will be distributed worldwide to only certain regions depending on the bottle. Meaning, that Paris, France might get a different batch than we do in Dallas. Most tuns hold only 8,000 liters, which makes them a rare collectors' item. You will be able to see the flavor profile on the packaging, so you will know what you're getting yourself into before even opening it up.
What to expect from Tun 1509, Batch #2...
Nose: Honey, sweet vanilla oak, a slight ginger flavor
Taste: Rich sweetness honey, tangy citrus
Finish: Cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla
Price: $350
Recommend? Yes!
Booze News Insider Josh Hart is an amateur reviewer, but a professional drinker. He has been sipping and learning about whiskeys for a more than a decade and hopes to help you sift through the basics, to find the best bottles for you.
