THE BALVENIE - 30 years - Thirty - 47.3%
The Balvenie Distillery is located in the prestigious Speyside region, in the heart of Scotland. It is one of the three iconic distilleries situated on the historic site of Dufftown owned by the William Grant group, 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. This is how he designed the plans for his future distillery, laying the first stone in autumn 1886. At the beginning of 1892, the conversion work of an 18th-century manor (Balvenie New House) into a distillery began. Fifteen months later, on May 1, 1893, the first distillation took place, marking the official birth of the Balvenie distillery. Although the three Dufftown distilleries share the same pure water source and malt, and use very similar manufacturing processes, each produces a single malt whisky distinctly recognizable by its unique character. For a long time, Balvenie mainly supplied whisky intended for William Grant blends, but in recent years, the distillery has focused primarily on producing its Single Malts, with a marginal proportion included in the famous Monkey Shoulder blend. Today, the distillery is renowned for its wide range of precious expressions matured in different types of casks, offering a rich and varied aromatic palette.
The Malt Master of Balvenie, David C. Stewart MBE, is a true pillar of Scottish tradition. Joining the distillery at only 17 years old in 1962, he has dedicated over 54 years of his life to the art of whisky. His innovative methods have profoundly renewed current manufacturing practices, particularly through his experiments with "cask finishes", which bring finesse and complexity to whiskies. In recognition of his major contributions to the whisky industry, David Stewart was awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2016 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a prestigious distinction highlighting his exceptional influence.
The Balvenie Thirty, an exceptional 30-year-old Single Malt, embodies the pinnacle of David C. Stewart's expertise. The cellar master carefully selects only rare casks that have patiently matured for more than three decades. By marrying whiskies slowly matured in traditional oak casks with others resting in European oak sherry casks, he creates a perfect balance between richness, sweetness, and aromatic depth, giving the malt unmatched complexity and maturity. Bottled at an optimal strength of 47.3%, this whisky reveals all the intensity and nuances that have made The Balvenie internationally renowned, combining elegance, character, and a long finish.
Non Peated
