Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Did you know there's a difference between whisky without an E (whiskey), and Scotch refers to whisky produced from Scotland? Well, yeah, I knew the latter, common sense dictated that, but I didn't know a whiskey from a whisky.

When I got an invite to attend a single malt tasting, I was a bit apprehensive at first, coz if it was ANYTHING like WINE tasting, where people swirl the glasses, sniff the wine, gargle it in their throats, and rattle off a verbose list of unpronouncable french terms, like buckay, vintayje, etc. And since I am a pleb, who knocks back anything alcoholic (not those alcohol flavoured stuff like Watsons gin) basically (except tequila & gin, cos I o/d-ed on those in my youth), I thought, hmmm, would a single malt tasting be wasted on me? But I DO LOVE SINGLE MALTS, so I agreed, and in any case, it was a very small crowd of food bloggers that were invited. (before any of yall ask why I didn't invite you, it basically wasn't within my powers to do so, ....alas). Oh, did I mention we were told we'd get to taste a 30 year single malt???? Weep, people, weep.

The venue, Carcosa Seri Negara, no less. Fit for Kings and Queens, and who did I get to escort me? The QUEEN herself. Queen of the DSLR Realm, AWhiffofLemongrass aka Thamby. The woman was riddled with a flu bug, (not the swine variety I hope), and argh, riding in a aircond car with her was as good as sending out a gilded invite to the swarm of bacteria, "You are cordially invited to take up residence in my body"...

We were the first of 4 bloggers to arrive, and met our host, Marian Eu Hooi Khaw. We see her name in the papers all the time, so it's nice to finally put a face to the name. She's such a sweetie, and so very friendly.

Dinner was a buffet spread, ....as our main purpose there was to write about the Single Malt, I didn't really take note of the foods. It was decent enough, the duck confit wrapped in cabbage leaf was delicious, and so were the prawns at the salad bar.


Although the dining room was all decked out, like a bride, we weren't allowed to eat there as they wanted the table settings untouched (like a bride) for the whisky tasting.


The bottles were priced at a special price....


.......which I still cannot afford anyway.



These stairs have had the privilege of being walked upon by Queen Elizabeth II herself...I think.


Her Majesty, Queen of the DSLR





David Mair, Balvenie Brand Ambassador


Our wonderful organiser, Marian Eu Hooi Khaw


According to David, the distillery is somewhere here. (look at arrow)


The 12, 15, 21 and 30 years, waiting to tantalize my palate.


The only distillery to have their own inhouse coppersmith...


The miniature parts, exact replica, of the whisky stills....


The hands of friendship meet over whisky...





Wonder if its to suck in or blow out? Anyway, he's Chummy with Ciki...(get it?)


Famous Blogger, KY Speaks....nice meeting you KY!!!! It was an honor!



Ah, the sweet caress of a 15 year old....


My wife's away in Alor Setar, he tells the 15 year old...



Lyrical Lemongrass has always prided herself on her tongue, which apparently can detect the taste of nearly anything...

Anyway, the 30 year old one, which costs in excess of RM2 k a bottle, is indeed fine stuff. Smooth, and oh so very palatable. It has a wonderful fragrance, mellow okay tones and hints of candied orange peel.

The 21 year old is also great, and to quote their words, refined with remarkable character, it is creamy and silky with fruit, honey and spice notes.

The 15 yr is actually better with water, apparently, but this was the least favourite one, perhaps because I gulped it down BEFORE David said to add some water.

The 12 year is a fine drink, and very drinkable. Funny, someone said that although when you taste the whiskies, obviously it gets better with age, but after you've tried the 30 yr, surprisingly when you go back to the 12, it is PERFECTLY drinkable.

It was a great night out. Thanks Marian, and you know who you are, for organising this!