Balvenie 2009 / 14 Year Old / Bourbon Barrel / A Collection of Curious Casks Speyside Whisky

Clara Johansson — Good but not quite worth the ask

7/10

I enjoy this but at nearly £88 I expected a bit more complexity from a 14 year old Speyside. The palate is pleasant — toffee, baked apple, light spice — but it feels a touch one-dimensional compared to other Curious Casks releases. Still, I'd happily drink it on the rocks on a Friday evening.

Priya Sharma — Lovely bourbon cask character

8/10

This is exactly what I want from a Balvenie aged in bourbon wood — rich vanilla, honey, and a bit of orchard fruit on the nose. At 47.8% it's got enough punch to hold up neat without being aggressive. Fourteen years has given it a nice creamy texture with a gentle oak finish. Really solid dram for the price.