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Whisky Review: The Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 4

We review The Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 4, a popular Scotch whisky named for a whisky marrying vessel at this famous Speyside distillery.

OVERALL RATING

8
$370.00
  • Kirk Sig is a whisky connoisseur known for his candid and investigative approach to whisky reviews.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Single malt whisky; 750 ml; 51.7% ABV / 103.4 proof; $370-500 price range.
Appearance:
Midway between gold and orange, there is amber. The waif-like legs of this whisky are sexy to behold, with attenuated beading. Call them “heroine chic.”
Nose:
Maple syrup; cardamom; Honduran cigar wrapper; baked pear in light syrup; pound cake; black rum; pecan wood shavings. The preceding notes affirm sherry and bourbon casks working in harmony with one another.
Palate:
Alas, the sherry and bourbon casks are not in complete accord here. Bitter oak from bourbon wood surfaces first, along with notes of baked stone fruit from the sherry. There’s a ribbon of caramel and marshmallow nougat that reminds me of batches from Tun 1401. Gunpowder also rears its ugly head, along with fresh cut leather.

The superabundance of alcohol in one’s glass (103.4 proof) invites the introduction of some water. Unfortunately, this invitation proves to be short-lived. Half a teaspoon sacrifices a noticeable amount of complexity. To add insult to injury, my two ounce pour of whisky also turned unpleasantly bitter after water was added, even with the passing of 30-40 more minutes.

On the finish, red fruits surface, offering notes of raspberry, boysenberry, and a cherry flavored cough drop thrown in for good measure. This happy ending all but disappears when a reasonable amount of water is introduced. Instead, I’m reminded of the DoubleWood 12 Year Old.
Finish:
Comments:
Does Tun 1509 Batch 4 earn Whisky Kirk’s seal of approval? By now, I’m sure you have surmised that the answer is “no,” at least when cost per bottle is taken into consideration. Normally, I don’t focus on the cost/performance ratio of a whisky under review. In this case, however, I really must make an exception–although it’s worth pointing out that a 4 star rating isn’t low, by any stretch.rnrnAs for other, more attainable, Balvenies out there, I recently tasted Peat Week, and found myself favorably impressed. True, this one’s in a different league from the latest tun release, which most likely still has more batches yet to be made. But how many whiskies have a “root beer” tasting note? Yummy on the lips . . . warm in the tummy. To call Peat Week “daily dram material” is something of an understatement.rnrnBalvenie’s core range is among the most varied in all of Scotland. I’ve been known to pick up bottles of Carribbean Cask 14 Year Old and Single Barrel 15 Year Old at stores near my home in Portland, Oregon. Of course, there’s also the DoubleWood 12 Year Old to use as a “safety” when nothing more intriguing presents itself in a bar or a restaurant.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Whisky Kirk

Kirk Sig's fascination with Scottish whisky ignited in 1987 during a visit to Edinburgh. In the ensuing three and a half decades, he has cultivated an extensive understanding of distilleries, the whisky industry, and the global whisky landscape.

Kirk prides himself on providing candid and unvarnished reviews, eschewing the prevalent flattery and fluff that often permeate whisky commentary. This direct approach has occasionally ruffled feathers in influential circles, which he views as a testament to his commitment to prioritize the interests of the consumer.

Embracing the spirit of investigative journalism, Kirk's reviews delve deeper, leaving no stone—or cask—unturned. He believes in transparency and ensures that readers are privy to any noteworthy findings, fostering an informed and empowered whisky community.

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