Balvenie
21 Years Old - PortWood Finish
- 40
- 70cl
- Taste: 3
- Speyside
William Grant established The Balvenie Distillery in 1892 in Dufftown. After successfully running the Glenfiddich Distillery, he purchased Balvenie New House, a large estate near Glenfiddich, to expand his operations. Production officially began in 1893, initially using second-hand stills from Lagavulin and Glen Albyn distilleries. Originally supplying malt whisky for blended Scotch whiskies, particularly William Grant & Sons', Balvenie released its first single malt in 1971. Known for its commitment to...
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William Grant established The Balvenie Distillery in 1892 in Dufftown. After successfully running the Glenfiddich Distillery, he purchased Balvenie New House, a large estate near Glenfiddich, to expand his operations. Production officially began in 1893, initially using second-hand stills from Lagavulin and Glen Albyn distilleries.
Originally supplying malt whisky for blended Scotch whiskies, particularly William Grant & Sons', Balvenie released its first single malt in 1971. Known for its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, the distillery is one of the few remaining that still grows its own barley, malts its grain on a traditional malting floor, and maintains its own cooperage and coppersmith.
Today, William Grant & Sons operates the distillery and it continues to be a family-run business. The distillery produces a wide range of single malts, known for their rich, honeyed character.
To create Balvenie PortWood, a marriage of carefully selected rare reserves of Balvenie is transferred to port casks, or pipes, which have held fine port wines, for a further few months of maturation. Sampled regularly by Honorary Ambassador and Former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE,to ensure that just the right amount of character is imparted by the port casks, which enhance and develop the single malt whilst preserving its original characteristics.
The first traditional whisky oak maturation in American Oak casks mellows the spirit and builds character. A second cask ageing in Port casks is at the heart of Balvenie PortWood and produces a single malt of refinement and remarkable complexity.
Originally supplying malt whisky for blended Scotch whiskies, particularly William Grant & Sons', Balvenie released its first single malt in 1971. Known for its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, the distillery is one of the few remaining that still grows its own barley, malts its grain on a traditional malting floor, and maintains its own cooperage and coppersmith.
Today, William Grant & Sons operates the distillery and it continues to be a family-run business. The distillery produces a wide range of single malts, known for their rich, honeyed character.
To create Balvenie PortWood, a marriage of carefully selected rare reserves of Balvenie is transferred to port casks, or pipes, which have held fine port wines, for a further few months of maturation. Sampled regularly by Honorary Ambassador and Former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE,to ensure that just the right amount of character is imparted by the port casks, which enhance and develop the single malt whilst preserving its original characteristics.
The first traditional whisky oak maturation in American Oak casks mellows the spirit and builds character. A second cask ageing in Port casks is at the heart of Balvenie PortWood and produces a single malt of refinement and remarkable complexity.
Tasting Rating Guide
1: Light, good for beginners - an aperitif on a summers day, i.e. Glengoyne, Auchentoshan
2: Also good for beginners but with more depth and body - a little stronger than 1, ie. Glenmorangie, Speyburn
3: A dram for everyone, a little more complex so the palate requires a little more experience, i.e. Cragganmore, Macallan
4: A stronger spirit, a big whisky with lots of character and body, excellent after dinner, i.e. Lagavulin, Laphroaig