The Balvenie Stories 21 Year Old The Second Red Rose (70cl, 48.1%)

This is a 21 year old Speyside single malt from Balvenie, bottled at 48.1% vol in a 70cl bottle. It belongs to the limited Balvenie Stories series. The whisky spent 20 years in ex-bourbon casks and was then finished in Australian Shiraz casks. It takes its inspiration from the Balvenie Red Rose released in 2008 and from the story of Margaret Douglas, a widow who stayed at Balvenie Castle and paid King James II with a yearly red rose from the grounds. The nose is earthy, with ripe fruit, fresh mango and gentle oak. Black pepper and oak lead the palate, with blackberries and ripe peaches. The finish is long and oaky.