Speyside (Balvenie) 21 years, 1996-2018, Element of Water, Bottled by The Whiskyfind for Silent Third Kyoto, Hogshead no. 5749, 260 bottles, 58.8% abv.

This bottling is part of a series motivated by the Oriental recognition of the natural elements; namely gold, wood, water, fire, earth, sun, and moon. This is the first/ inaugural bottling with the label art by Takumi Toxin of Hokkaido depicting the Japanese Goddess of Water... and/or/as well as Benzaiten (弁才天) who is one of the 7 lucky gods in Japanese mythology. Of significance is the necklace of 5 "metal" hooks, which has varying cultural meaning that I don't quite understand. The label is also shaped in this hook. The seemingly random black "V" and upside-down "V" actually shows the Chinese character for "water" written sideways. There is already a "fire" Bruichladdich out too.

Nose: waxy, at a distance its like white chalk/magnesium, milk, apple crayon, great body, vegetative notes which get stronger with time, honey notes diminish with time.

Palate: complex, many differing and sometimes contrasting flavors fill the palate, mid palate has a kick, becomes picklish pepper sour, very dry, back palate is wood and smoke and the smoke gets more intense with each sip. Elements of honey pop out especially at the backend of phases, almost haphazardly.

Finish: initially candy, bubblegum, honeycomb, general sweetness with body on the mouth, very good!

Grade: B

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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