Samuel J Simmons, The Balvenie’s Global Ambassador, hosted an intimate dinner at Chiswick restaurant in Woollahra with a special tasting of Balvenie drams. Vising Australia for the first time, the Canadian-born ambassador known as Dr Whisky is a highly respected industry expert and whisky judge for panels such as the Best in Glass Awards and the International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Sam Simmons, The Balvenie
The Balvenie, a Speyside single malt whisky from its distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, renowned for its “barley to bottle” approach where the grain is home-grown, malted and bottled on site. The main taste profile reflects the classic Speyside with honey and fruits with accents of sherry and spice.
The Balvenie Range on Taste
Six expressions were on taste, The Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood, The Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel, The Balvenie 17 Year Old Doublewood, The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood and The Balvenie 30 Year Old as well as a rare 1973 single cask straight from the barrel that made the journey from Scotland.
THE BALVENIE RELEASES 14 YO CARIBBEAN CASK
Top picks were the The Balvenie 17 Year Old Doublewood, with its complex oak, vanilla and honey sweetness with a touch of spice, The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood with its ripe raisin notes with honey and spice in a long and gentle finish, and the smooth Balvenie 30 Year Old with oaky tones, rich dark chocolate and marzipan on the palate.
The Balvenie 1973 Single Cask (46.7% ABV) is a big bold whisky, mahogany in colour and aged in European oak. At 40 years of age, it still retains the house style honey notes with dried fruits, figs and cloves, in a long dry finish.
Collective Menu by Chiswick
Throughout the evening, a “Collective Menu” of share dishes was served including favourites such as the risotto of asparagus, pecorino and nasturtium, fish and prawn tagine with saffron couscous, the signature wood-roasted Moran family lamb, and an irresitible Balvenie Chocolate Mousse with honeycomb, hazelnuts and orange.
The Balvenie dinner with Sam Samuels was held on Wednesday 7 November 2013 at Chiswick Restaurant in Woollahra.
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