The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Extra Matured In Rum Casks 14-Year Special Edition Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 43%-AbV 200ml bottles. Stay tuned for more details. zzubreebym
About The Balvenie:
The Balvenie Distillery, nestled in the heart of Speyside, Scotland, stands as a beacon of traditional whisky-making craftsmanship. Founded in 1892 by William Grant, who also established the renowned Glenfiddich Distillery, Balvenie began its first distillation in 1893 and has remained under the ownership of William Grant & Sons, a family-run company
Traditional Craftsmanship
Balvenie distinguishes itself by maintaining a full range of traditional whisky-making practices in-house, a rarity among modern distilleries. These practices include:
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Malting: Balvenie grows its own barley and malts it on traditional malting floors, turning the barley by hand—a process few distilleries continue to employ .
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Milling and Mashing: The malted barley is ground and then boiled in large mash tuns, a process that extracts fermentable sugars.
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Fermentation: The mash is fermented in wooden washbacks, allowing yeast to convert sugars into alcohol.
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Distillation: The fermented wash is distilled in copper pot stills, shaped like large tagines, to produce the new make spirit.
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Maturation: The spirit matures in oak casks, with Balvenie employing its own cooperage to craft and repair barrels, ensuring the quality and consistency of maturation .
Innovation and Recognition
David Stewart MBE, Balvenie's Malt Master since 1962, revolutionized whisky maturation by introducing the process of wood finishing. This involves transferring whisky from one type of cask to another—such as from bourbon barrels to sherry casks—to enhance its flavor complexity . His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 for his services to the Scotch whisky industry.
Core and Limited Edition Ranges
Balvenie's core range includes expressions such as the 12-Year-Old DoubleWood, the 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask, and the 21-Year-Old PortWood, each offering unique flavor profiles derived from their distinct maturation processes . The distillery also releases limited editions, including the Stories Range, which reflects the tales of the craftsmen behind the whisky, and the Rare & Precious Range, featuring aged expressions like the 30, 40, and 50-Year-Old single malts .
A Commitment to Tradition
Balvenie's dedication to traditional craftsmanship is evident in its approach to whisky-making. The distillery employs skilled artisans, such as coopers and coppersmiths, many of whom have decades of experience. For instance, Head Cooper Ian McDonald has been with Balvenie for 48 years, and Coppersmith Denis McBain has over 63 years of service . This commitment ensures that each bottle of Balvenie whisky embodies the rich heritage and meticulous attention to detail that defines the brand.
Visitor Experience
For those interested in exploring the distillery firsthand, Balvenie offers immersive guided tours that showcase its traditional processes, from malting to maturation. These tours provide a unique opportunity to witness the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of Balvenie whisky .
In summary, The Balvenie Distillery represents a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, producing exceptional single malt whiskies that honor the past while embracing the future.
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