The Balvenie is adding three new whiskies to its Cask Finishes range. Two of the new expressions from the Speyside distillery will be launched exclusively into the travel retail market.
The new Balvenie Cask Finishes expressions are a 15-year-old Madeira cask finished Scotch, an 18-year-old Pedro Ximénez finished whisky–both exclusive to travel retail–and a 16-year-old that was finished in French Pineau casks. This is the first time French Pineau casks have been used by the brand for a domestic release in its 129-year history.
“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,” said malt master David Stewart MBE.
“Pineau casks are rarely seen in the Scotch whisky industry and they have paired with the Balvenie spirit perfectly, adding orchard fruits and a citrusy zing,” commented Charles Metcalfe, global brand ambassador for The Balvenie. “The extra sweetness and richness from the Pedro Ximénez cask adds a lovely rich weight to the palate of our 18 Years Old, with all of those delicious dark fruits coming through.”
Lindsay Hitzeroth, William Grant & Sons head of customer marketing, GTR, added: “The [GTR] 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… we will continue to inspire and engage consumers with The Balvenie 15 Years Old Madeira Cask and 18 Years Old Pedro Ximénez Cask, both delivering the quality of liquid and iconic appeal that luxury shoppers will be searching for.”
On the nose, The Balvenie Madeira Cask Aged 15 Years (43% ABV) offers overflowing flavors of blackcurrants and brambles, which slowly layer upon gingery syrup and delicate spice. The palate features fruitiness from fresh peaches that lead to a citrus orange zing, hazelnuts and crisp oakiness coating the pallet. The finish is long lasting.
The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Cask Aged 18 Years (48.7% ABV) offers aromas of raisin and bursting currants, which intertwine with oak and subtle clove, concealing smooth sweet lavender. The palate features a modern classic fruit fusion whre tart grape skin, mandarin, and fig flow together with vibrant oak to coat the mouth with a delicate oil and honeyed sweetness.
The nose of The Balvenie French Oak Cask Aged 16 Years (47.6% ABV) offers balanced light floral notes from lotus and geranium flowers, which dance between hints of fresh meadow grass and peeled apple skin. The palate delivers an energizing zing from tangy lemon rind and grapefruit that meet the delicate subtle sweetness of glazed fruits and spice from root ginger.
The Balvenie Madeira Cask 15 Years Old and The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask 18 Years Old launch in global travel retail in Hainan, Seoul Incheon, Amsterdam Schiphol, Berlin, and Budapest on April 1.
The Balvenie French Oak 16 Years Old joins three other expressions in the domestic The Balvenie Cask Finishes range: Doublewood 12 Years Old, Caribbean Cask 14 Years Old, and Portwood 21 Years Old.
For more information, head over to The Balvenie’s official website.
In November, The Balvenie introduced the latest addition to its coveted Stories range, The Tale of the Dog.
