🥃 The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old
A 21-year-old Speyside single malt from The Balvenie, finished in former port wine casks; created in 1996; 40-43% ABV.
The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old is the oldest expression in The Balvenie's core Speyside single malt range, named in Whiskypedia alongside Caribbean Cask 14. Master blender David Stewart created it in 1996. Sources give different strengths: 40% in Difford's Guide and 43% on the official website.
The whisky first matures in traditional oak casks and then undergoes extra maturation in port casks. Difford's Guide mentions port pipes that are 30 years old. The official website describes casks that were previously filled with port, without details on the duration. The distillery belongs to William Grant & Sons.
Why this matters to you. Compare it with The Balvenie DoubleWood 12: the finish here is port rather than sherry, and the age is almost twice as high. The age on the label refers to the youngest whisky, and the strength can differ between releases. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Facts
| Year founded | range created 1996 (David Stewart); Balvenie distillery founded 1892/1893 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Raw material | malted barley |
| Cask type | traditional oak casks, then port wine casks (30-year-old pipes according to Difford's Guide) |
| Minimum maturation | 21 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% (Difford's Guide) or 43% (official website) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Port
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health
- Part of
- 🥃 The Balvenie, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Speyside whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old, 🥃 The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old, 🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old, 🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old, 🥃 Penderyn Portwood
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that PortWood 21 matures only in port casks?
No. The whisky first matures in traditional oak casks, and port casks are used for an additional finish.
What is the strength of PortWood 21?
Sources differ: 40% ABV in Difford's Guide, 43% on the official website. Check the label.
Who created this range?
According to Difford's Guide, master blender David Stewart created it for Balvenie in 1996.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky — Malted barley is the base of whisky: malt enzymes convert starch in the mash, and EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol.
- 🥃 Penderyn Portwood — Single malt Penderyn whisky from the Gold series: bourbon casks, finish in port casks from the Douro Valley; 46% vol.
- 🥃 The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old — A 14-year-old Speyside single malt from The Balvenie, finished in casks that once held rum; 43% ABV.
Similar
🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old · 🥃 The Balvenie DoubleWood 17 Year Old · 🥃 The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old · 🥃 Aultmore 12 Year Old · 🥃 Aultmore 18 Year Old · 🥃 GlenAllachie 18 Year Old
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Difford's Guide: The Balvenie 21 Year Old Port Wood Finish (created 1996 by David Stewart; additional maturation in 30-year-old port pipes; 40 %)
- The Balvenie (official US shop): PortWood 21 (43 %; transferred into port casks)
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): Balvenie (Double Wood 1993; core range: Double Wood 17, Caribbean Cask 14, Port Wood 21)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)
Also listed under
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskySpeyside whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskyThe Balvenie
- SpiritsWhiskyThe Balvenie