Tuesday, September 05, 2017

THE BALVENIE LAUNCHES NEW PEATED SINGLE MALT WHISKY EXPRESSION

William Grant & Sons, has announced the launch of the new 14 Year Old peated expression, from its Balvenie single malt Scotch whisky brand.

The Balvenie Peat Week – 2002 Vintage (48.3% ABV) has been produced using heavily peated malt, and laid down to mature for 14 years, under the watchful eye of the industry’s longest-serving Malt Master, David Stewart MBE.

The Balvenie launches new peated single malt expression

The Balvenie Peat Week, is the product of trials undertaken by The Balvenie’s Malt Master David Stewart MBE and Ian Millar, former Distillery Manager and current Prestige Whiskies Specialist at William Grant & Sons.

This latest expression from the Dufftown based distillery, pays homage to a time when peated whiskies were commonly produced by distilleries across Speyside, including The Balvenie, who utilised locally sourced peat throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

Since 2001, the distillery has dedicated one week each year, named Peat Week, to use only peated barley in its production, in order to craft a different style of The Balvenie liquid with enhanced smoky notes. The result of the initial experiment is said to be a classic honeyed whisky enriched with a delicate, sweet and lingering peat smoke that unlocks flavours unexpected from a Speyside distillery.

Commenting on the news, David Stewart MBE said: “Being able to experiment with different elements of whisky making and stock management is one of the most exciting and important parts of my job. The new Peated Week bottling is a result of our continued efforts to innovate and trial flavours not typically associated with The Balvenie. The expression is testament to the freedom we enjoy as a family company, and shows The Balvenie in an unexpected way, yet still remaining true to the distillery style our drinkers enjoy.”

Back in June, The Balvenie announced the launch of a Travel Retail Exclusive peated expression; The Balvenie Peated Triple Cask.

The Balvenie Peat Week - 2002 Vintage, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £60.00.

Posted by Steve Rush