Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 60 Years - The Balvenie
Meanwhile, the Scotsman has handed over responsibility for Balvenie to his successor, Kelsey McKechnie. The 32-year-old Malt Master, who recently attended an event in Zurich, gave her predecessor and master a wonderful farewell gift by creating a memorial in his memory: The Balvenie 60 Years Old. This bottling is the oldest the distillery has ever released to date and is being released to commemorate the anniversary of the death of industry icon, renowned Honorary Ambassador and former Malt Master David C. Stewart. The Balvenie 60 Years Old comes from a single 1962 cask, with a variety of flavors ranging from floral notes to rich, spicy elements. Only 71 bottles of this rare whisky have been released, and this exceptional limited edition is not only a symbol of The Balvenie's impressive craftsmanship, but also a fitting legacy and tribute to David C. Stewart's extraordinary career.
Type: Whisky
Origin: Scotland
Aging: 60 years
Alcohol Content: 46%
Format: 70cl with Gift Box
Tasting Notes: Amber color. Intense aromas of leather and oak, floral. Full-bodied, rich flavor, toffee, oak. Long-lasting finish.
Distillery: Balvenie's history begins in 1890 when the land where the distillery now stands was little more than a decaying neoclassical mansion that had been abandoned for decades. William Grant, already the owner of Glenfiddich, decided to purchase the mansion and adjacent land. The purchase was initially intended to protect Glenfiddich; by purchasing the neighboring land, no one would be able to use the area and its water to build a competing distillery. The property spanned over 1,000 acres and included the Balvenie New House mansion and the Balvenie Mains farm. Just two years after the land was purchased, the huge demand for single malts prompted Grant to significantly increase production. Thus, in 1892, construction began on a new distillery on the grounds of Balvenie New House. The distillery began production on May 1, 1893, under the name Glen Gordon, as it was initially known, while Balvenie New House, a decaying neoclassical villa, was transformed into a "more useful" malthouse. In 1894, demand for single malts for blending was still high, and two more stills were installed. They are quite unique, featuring a bulge above the boiler called a boil-ball, or "Balvenie ball," suggesting that the distillery was likely the first to use it. The distillery continued production over the years and has not experienced any closures. In fact, in 1957, the distillery increased its capacity by installing two more stills, followed by further stills in 1965 and 1971. Currently, Balvenie operates 11 stills, 5 wash stills, and 6 spirit stills, divided between two different still houses. Until 1973, the distillery produced single malts for the Grant Group's blends (Grant's Standfast), but that year the first official bottling was also released, albeit in very limited quantities. Only with the construction of Ailsa Bay did Balvenie become available. In 1990, Kininvie was built on the Balvenie site, comprising a single, small stillhouse. Adjacent to Kininvie is the old Convalmore distillery, purchased by the Grants in 1992 to increase their warehouse capacity. Balvenie is one of the few distilleries still using its own malting floor; approximately 15% of the distillery's needs are malted here, and the barley used comes from Balvenie Mains; the remainder is purchased. In Balvenie, a unique fact for these times, there are coopers' and coppersmiths' workshops, who take care of all the work relating to the barrels and stills of the other distilleries of the group as well (the duration of the apprenticeship as a cooper lasts 6 years).
