If you're lucky enough to taste a cask strength single barrel of sherried Balvenie 25 year, it's probably because you ponied up for the Ultra VIP tour at the distillery. You might get a tiny little sip and then find out it's about £1500 a bottle. It's probably worth it considering how absolutely unbelievable these whiskies are when they're old, but I wouldn't be able to swing it, not when barrels like this are sneaking about Scotland. The trade name for this whisky is Burnside and we've had several great ones over the years, but never one in a high quality refill sherry hogshead like this. That barrel take this to the next level and is simply so showy I almost feel bad not charging more, but we're committed to being fair, so profit while you can. Here we go. The color is the most perfect possible burnished copper (1.1). The nose is quintessential offering deep wild honey, Tahitian vanilla, candied ginger, sultanas, fig compote & old jurancon. The palate is incredibly zesty and vibrant with huge orange oils, marmalade, apricote jam, ginger root, honeysuckle, mirabelle, dried tarragon. With water it opens and adds a beautiful lemon oil character, the tiniest cleanest wisp of white smoke, waxy pear and baked apple. This is extremely delicious old school Balvenie that could have easily stood out in their own warehouses. Not at all sure why they would have let this go, but considering we're a quarter of the price of the current 25 year and it's full strength in refill sherry its about the best deal we've ever had from the special Dufftown distillery.