THE BALVENIE - 14 years - The Week of Peat - 48.3%
The Balvenie Distillery is located in the prestigious Speyside region of Scotland. It is one of the three iconic distilleries on the Dufftown site owned by William Grant, alongside Glenfiddich and Kininvie. After about twenty years of experience, William Grant left his position at the Mortlach distillery to acquire land near Balvenie Castle. He then drew up the plans for his distillery and laid the first stone in the autumn of 1886. At the beginning of 1892, the conversion of an 18th-century manor house, called Balvenie New House, into a distillery began. Fifteen months later, on May 1, 1893, the first distillation was carried out at the Balvenie distillery. The three distilleries on the Dufftown site use the same pure water and malt, with very similar production methods, but each produces an exceptional Single Malt, fully identifiable and unique. For many years, Balvenie was mainly a major source of malt for William Grant blends. However, more recently, the distillery has refocused its production on the growing demand for its Single Malt, with only a small portion going into the famous Monkey Shoulder blend. Renowned for its mastery and excellence in diverse cask finishes, Balvenie offers a range of refined expressions, enhanced by remarkable wood aging.
The Malt Master of Balvenie, David C. Stewart MBE, embodies the very soul of the distillery. Joining The Balvenie in 1962 at just 17 years old, he has devoted over half a century – 54 years – to preserving and enriching the art of Scottish whisky. A recognized innovator, he has profoundly influenced current production methods, particularly through his revolutionary expertise in cask finishes. In recognition of his outstanding work, David C. Stewart was awarded the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2016 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, highlighting his major contribution to Scotland's whisky heritage.
The exclusive Balvenie Stories collection gathers authentic tales reflecting the character, effort, and craftsmanship behind Single Malt whisky. Each expression is accompanied by an immersive audio book that brings to life the fascinating stories behind each whisky. These narratives take the form of captivating conversations between The Balvenie's passionate artisans and Gemma Paterson, the brand's international ambassador. The Week of Peat recounts the very first week dedicated to peat in 2002 at the distillery. After exploring the land where the farmer grew the barley that originated this peated malt, Gemma, alongside maltster Robbie Gormley and brewer Brian Webster, discusses the unique peated malting process. The distillery was then enveloped in intense peat smoke and a crowd fascinated by this unique sensory experience.
Peated
