Five craftsmen at The Balvenie Distillery have put their combined experience of more than 200 years into the selection of this year’s The Balvenie Vintage Cask.  Created for the fine dining and premium gifting markets, the Vintage Cask further demonstrates the expertise and traditional values offered by The Balvenie and the values it represents to consumers looking to buy a premium malt.

Eric Stephen (warehouseman), Richard Anderson (cooper), George Garrick (maltman), Bill Duncan (mashman) and Dennis McBain (coppersmith) along with Malt Master, David Stewart, created the Vintage from casks laid down in 1976. Malt Master David Stewart says: “The craftsmen have chosen what I believe is an exceptional single malt. The Balvenie Vintage Cask is one of the most sought after of limited release bottlings and will I believe attract awards and plaudits from collectors and enthusiasts around the world.

”The Balvenie Vintage is created from just two casks singled out for their characteristic Balvenie honey notes and rich, fruity, vanilla sweetness. From the first cask comes fruit and oak, followed by delicate notes of vanilla while the second cask adds a complex, fruity aroma with distinct citrus notes and hints of summer blossom. The result of this union is a perfect balance of characteristic rich and fruity notes deliciously enveloped in The Balvenie’s trademark honeyed character. Available now and priced at £400, The Balvenie Vintage will also target premium gifters in the Father’s Day market. 

 

The Balvenie Vintage Cask (Cask 6568) Tasting Notes

Rich and golden in colour, this rare single malt is highly aromatic with intriguing layers of fruit, oak and spice: rich marmalade is followed by delicate violet notes and finally subtle oak tannin and vanilla are revealed.   Its taste is an explosion of flavours - zesty fruit, brambles, rich honey, brown sugar and vanilla.  The mouth feel is rewardingly rich and vibrant sweet notes are counterbalanced with spicy oak tannin.  The finish is exceptionally long, sweet and warming.

The Balvenie Vintage Cask (Cask 6570) Tasting Notes

Rich and golden in colour, this rare single malt has a beautifully rich, complex, fruity aroma with distinct citrus notes.  Hints of summer blossom and fresh honey are enveloped with gentle oak notes.  Silky smooth with a rich, velvety texture, its taste is luxuriously sweet with intense fruity flavours (oranges, peaches, apricots) and honey and vanilla are overlaid with spicy oak and a hint of beeswax. The finish is exceptionally long, sweet and warming.