WeeDrammers Empty the Piggy Bank

Since September 2016, the WeeDrammers have sampled 203 drams, surging past the 200 mark on November 28 at John G.’s We subtitled our tasting “the $1000 Scotch Evening”. Early in 2025 a decision was made to empty our piggy banks and contribute to two $1000.00 bottles. Why? For the fun of it and to satisfy our curiosity; is a $1000 dram noticeably superior to drams coming in at a tenth the price?

John G. was the perfect host for the evening providing a great venue complete with wonderful appies to accompany the drams.

Upon arrival members of the group were greeted by John and Brian both dressed to the nines in their tuxedos to mark the evening. John introduced the drams with short descriptions of each. We then agreed on a process for the evening. With Bill and Tony handling the ‘precise’ pouring of the drams, starting with the pricier dram, we tried a 1 oz. taste and, followed this with a similar 1 oz. of a less expensive dram from the same distillery. We then moved on to the second pricey dram and repeated the process. The less pricey alternatives were sent back into their liquour cabinet and we proceeded to a second shot of the ‘good’ stuff. Slowly, we worked toward a consensus – did the $1000 dram offer an overwhelmingly more satisfying experience?

First up was the Dalmore 21 year old. a Highland, single malt, “that embodies the distillery’s reputation for opulence”. This whisky began its journey in American white oak bourbon barrels, before being finished in 30 year old that oloroso sherry casks from Gonzalez Byass, one of Spain’s best-known sherry bodegas. This finishing touch is what gives Dalmore 21 its signature richness.

TASTING NOTES:

Nose – ginger peel, baking chocolate, roasted coffee beans, and a whisper of marzipan
Palate – opens with roasted nuts, dried fruits, liquorice, and butterscotch all wrapped in a velvet texture.
Finish – long and elegant with peaches, pears, clementine, and a gentle warmth of ginger and cinnamon.

One review writes, “This is Dalmore at it’s most luxurious, a whisky that invites you to slow down, saver and appreciate the artistry of sherry cast”.

The Dalmore 21 comes in at 43.8% ABV and is priced at $1052.00 + taxes. Our bottle was purchased in Alberta.

As a source for comparison, we sampled the Dalmore 12 year old, recognized as a whisky with character far beyond its age. Coming in at 40% ABV and a price in BC of $111.19 before taxes, this is a fine scotch in its own right.

Our second choice, the Balvenie 25 is part of the rare marriage series from the Balvenie distillery. The whisky is the result of marrying casks matured in both American and European oak to achieve perfect harmony after a quarter century of aging.

TASTING NOTES:

Nose – expect soft autumn fruits, runny honey, crystallized ginger, and even a touch of mint.
Palate – is bold yet graceful; vanilla oak, caramelized sugars, intense malt, and a hint of bitter chocolate.
Finish – lingers beautifully, slightly oily, with spice and malt richness that remind you of its long journey.

One review concludes “The Balvenie 25 is not just a whisky, it’s a showcase of patience and craftsmanship – balancing sweetness, spice, and maturity in a way that feels timeless”.

The Balvenie comes in at 48% ABV and is priced at $1274.00 + taxes. Our bottle was purchased in Alberta.

As a source for comparison, we sampled the Balvenie 12 double wood. Coming in at 40% ABV and a price in BC of $119.99 before taxes, this too is a fine scotch in its own right.

Together “the Dalmore 21 and Balvenie 25 showcase two very different philosophies of Scotch whisky. Dalmore leans into sherry driven opulence, rich and decadent while Balvenie highlights Speyside elegance. honeyed sweetness and oak maturity.”

Are they, when compared to their less expensive cousins, that much better? Well, the jury is out on that one.

Our experiment was an interesting introduction to high-end Scotch. It was a fun night, the whiskies were wonderful as was the food; as was the company.

Thanks again to John for hosting this interesting evening.