THE FLAVOURS OF BALVENIE UNVEILED WITH THREE NEW CASK FINISHED WHISKIES

March 29, 2022

Dedicated to ultimate craftsmanship, The Balvenie distillery has unveiled three new cask finished whiskies to feature in its Cask Finishes range, two of which are launching exclusively to Global Travel Retail on April 1. Embodying the Speyside distillery’s signature honeyed character, the new expressions are a deep dive into flavour using Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE's pioneering finishing process he started in 1982, which is now celebrated across the whisky world. Inspired by flavour journeys from The Balvenie team throughout wine making regions of Europe, the new GTR expressions feature finishing casks from Madeira and Pedro Ximénez from Jerez, while for the first time in the distillery’s 129 years history, Pineau from the French Charentes vineyards joins the domestic offer. David Stewart MBE, The Balvenie Malt Master, commented: “It is no secret that I enjoy sweet wines like Madeira and when introduced to Pineau I was instantly impressed by the flavour profile and interested to see what these casks would bring to The Balvenie.” Charles Metcalfe, Global Brand Ambassador for The Balvenie, commented, “Pineau casks are very rarely seen in the Scotch whisky industry and they have paired with the Balvenie spirit perfectly, adding orchard fruits and a citrusy zing. “The extra sweetness and richness from the Pedro Ximenez cask adds a lovely rich weight to the palette of our 18 Year Old, with all of those delicious dark fruits coming through.” The travel retail Cask Finishes range now includes: ● Madeira Cask 15 Year Old - NEW ● Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask 18 Year Old – NEW The Madeira Cask 15 Year Old is a lively and summery Single Malt finished in casks which previously held sweet Madeira wine. Having used casks from the volcanic island for older expressions in the past, a recent holiday there reignited David Stewart’s passion for Madeira’s versatile dessert wine and complex casks. Throughout the cask’s journey they were exposed to the heat of the sun, naturally sweetening wine it held, leading to the creation of this light, lively yet characterful whisky. The second sherry finish for the Cask Finishes range is The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Cask Aged 18 Years. The sweet wine from the much loved Pedro Ximénez casks gets its intensity from the sun ripened vines making it the perfect sweet fusion for The Balvenie’s signature honeyed core. Whilst Sherry is a popular cask type in Scotch, this is only the second time The Balvenie has used it in their range of finishes. Both expressions will be listed by all key retailers with brand activation support through major airports including Hainan, Seoul Incheon and Jeju Taoyuan in Asia. In Europe, a number of HPP’s have been agreed with Heinemann for airports including Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Berlin, Budapest, Copenhagen, Vienna and Munich. “We’re delighted to be launching The Balvenie Cask Finishes Range with two exclusive editions for Global Travel Retail,” says Lindsay Hitzeroth, WG&S Head of Customer Marketing, GTR. “The channel has always been about discovery, offering consumers the opportunity to find something new and different, yet with the confidence of brand knowledge and integrity. As travel now begins to show real recovery in the aftermath of Covid, we will continue to inspire and engage consumers with The Balvenie 15yo Madeira Cask and 18 yo Pedro Ximénez Cask, both delivering the quality of liquid and iconic appeal that luxury shoppers will be searching for.” The domestic Cask Finishes range (note NOT available in GTR) lineup now includes: ● Doublewood 12 Year Old ● Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old ● French Oak 16 Year Old - NEW ● Portwood 21 Year Old The process of finishing means taking whisky out of its original maturation cask and transferring it into a second cask type, adding a secondary layer of complexity to the whisky that no other process can. Through generations of whisky-making The Balvenie Makers know that making exceptional whisky requires time, patience, dedication, passion, and curiosity. In their commitment to making the very best whisky, the range explores time and flavour - from the iconic Doublewood 12 years old right through to the Portwood 21 years old, considered by many to be David Stewart’s finest creation. TASTING NOTES The Balvenie Madeira Cask Aged 15 Years Nose: Overflowing flavours of blackcurrants and brambles slowly layer upon gingery syrup and delicate spice. Taste: Ripe fruitiness from fresh peaches lead to a citrus orange zing, hazelnuts and crisp oakiness coating the pallet. Finish: Long lasting. ABV: 43% First Cask Several years of maturation in traditional American Oak whisky barrels imparts warming layers of honey and vanilla for our sweet signature honeyed core flavour. Second Cask Finishing in Madeira casks increases complexity, bringing notes of fresh peaches, oranges zing and hazelnut. The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Cask Aged 18 Years Nose: A medley of flavours from raisin & bursting currants, intertwine oak and subtle clove, concealing smooth sweet lavender. Taste: A modern classic fruit fusion of tart grape skin, mandarin & fig flow together with vibrant oak to coat the mouth with a delicate oil and honeyed sweetness. Finish: Unmistakable. ABV: 48.7% First Cask Many years of maturation in traditional American Oak whisky barrels mellows the maturing spirit and imparts warming layers of honey and vanilla. Second Cask Finishing in Pedro Ximénez sherry butts creates a fusion of sweet lavender, mandarin, fig and subtle clove. DOMESTIC ONLY The Balvenie French Oak Cask Aged 16 Years Nose: Beautifully balanced light floral notes from lotus and geranium flowers dance between hints of fresh meadow grass and peeled apple skin. Taste: An energizing zing from tangy lemon rind and grapefruit meet the delicate subtle sweetness of glazed fruits and spice from root ginger. Finish: Refreshingly concise. ABV: 47.6% First Cask Years of maturation in American Oak casks brings an abundance of vanilla spice and warm honey notes Second Cask Finishing in Pineau casks creates notes of energizing grapefruit, geranium, glazed fruit and ginger.