When the distillery was built in 1892 it was outfitted with second hand still from Lagavulin and Glen Albyn. This might seem a bit odd at first, but the use of second hand stills from other distilleries that were demolished or refurbished is actually not that uncommon. These days Balvenie has no less than eight stills (4 wash stills and 4 spirit stills); two of them were added in 1965 and one in 1971.
The Balvenie distillery in Dufftown was built in 1892 by W. & J. Grant, owners of the Glenfiddich distillery nearby. More
than a century later they are still 'sister stills', owned by the very same company that originally built them; William Grant & Sons.
The official Balvenie core range includes the standard 10 years old 'Founders Reserve', the 12 years old 'DoubleWood', the 15yo 'Single Barrel' and the 21 year old 'Port Wood'. Actually, that's just the 'core' core range - the 25year 'Single Barrel' is a fairly regular release and bottlings like the 1989 and 1991 'Port Wood' and the 17yo 'Islay Cask' were available for a longer period of time as well. Balvenie also provides a fine example of the irrelevance of the 'terroir' theories on Scotch whisky in modern times. Balvenie and Glenfiddich are neighbours and use the very same water source. Nevertheless, the malt whiskies they produce are quite different from each other.
"Sweet fruit and Oleroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla A smooth and mellow single malt of beautifully combined flavours - nutty sweetness,cinnamon spiciness
" Monkey Shoulder whiskey is the world’s first Triple Malt, a blend of 3 of Speyside’s finest single malt whiskies, matured in Bourbon casks under
"The rich, intense new expression is finished in casks that once held Caribbean rum. After a 14-year maturation period in traditional oak whisky casks, the
The Balvenie miniature single malt whisky triple box set, otherwise known as 'The Tasting collection' contains three different Balvenie whisky miniatures: The Balvenie Doublewood aged 12
"Matured in tradional oak casks, is transferred to a port cask, or pipe which has held fine port wines- wood ,smoke, and citrus flavors,
"Fragrant aroma of vanilla honeyed sweetness, hints of heather and dry oaky notes. Taste: Rich and complex, suggestive of years of careful ageing, it has
" NOSE: Elegant and complex with oak, vanilla, honeyed sweetness and a hint of green apple. TASTE: Sweet with dried fruits, sherbet spice, toasted almonds and
" The Balvenie distillery has recently announced the launch of their newest whisky in the UK, the Tun 1509, created by Malt Master David Stewart.
" Remaining totally dedicated to the traditions and craftsmanship of malt whisky, The Balvenie Distillery are able to produce exceptional expressions of their region and
"Gristy, supple nuttiness intertwined with spices. Honeyed sultanas and grapes. Hugely inviting. Sweet with good body. The bourbon characters develop; gentle spice with a little
Whisky Advocate 93 "This is a big and brooding dram. The aroma suggests it is aged in both bourbon and sherry oak. It’s complex and richly
83c
Scotland
"One of three releases in The Balvenie Stories range, this is a peaty 14 year old single malt Scotch whisky, inspired by distillery manager Ian
"A vibrant aroma with intense floral and fruity notes. Orange peel, lavender, coconut and a hint of ground nut oil. Beautifully sweet, with characteristic Balvenie
"Some of this whisky was finished in a peated cask, some in new American oak. Both influences emerge with the smoke (jerky with a hint
" Honey and vanilla coated in a delicious gentle earthy peat smoke leads, followed by a little zesty pear, a lovely raisiny sweetness, pepper and
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