THE BALVENIE - 40 years - Batch 7 - 48.5%
The prestigious Balvenie Distillery is located in the famous Speyside region, in the heart of Scotland. It is one of the three iconic distilleries situated on the historic Dufftown site owned by William Grant, alongside Glenfiddich and Kininvie. After nearly twenty years of experience, William Grant left his position at the Mortlach distillery and acquired land near Balvenie Castle. He then designed the plans for his distillery, with the first stone laid in autumn 1886. From early 1892, the transformation of an 18th-century manor, Balvenie New House, into a distillery began. After 15 months of intensive work, the first distillation took place on May 1, 1893, marking the official birth of the Balvenie distillery. Although the three Dufftown distilleries use the same pure water and malt, and employ very similar production methods, each produces Single Malts with a unique and recognizable identity. For much of its history, Balvenie mainly supplied William Grant's blends, but facing growing international demand, it now focuses on producing its own Single Malts, with a smaller proportion destined for the famous Monkey Shoulder blend. Today, Balvenie is globally recognized for its exceptional range of expressions matured in a variety of carefully selected casks, showcasing Scottish craftsmanship and innovation.
The legendary Balvenie Malt Master, David C. Stewart MBE, perfectly embodies this quest for excellence. Joining The Balvenie distillery in 1962 at the age of 17, he dedicated 54 passionate years to the world of Scottish whisky. A true pioneer, his innovative techniques have deeply influenced current production methods, notably his iconic mastery of "cask finishes", which involves perfecting whisky in different types of wood to reveal aromatic profiles of unparalleled complexity. In recognition of his outstanding legacy in the industry, David Stewart was honored in 2016 with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Balvenie 40 years Batch 7 is a masterpiece of refined blending, combining the richness of 3 American oak casks and the elegance of 3 casks that previously held Sherry, to create a complex, balanced, and deeply aromatic Single Malt, perfectly illustrating Balvenie's unique style spanning four decades.
Woody
