The Balvenie Masterclass
Bordeaux Index
27 February 2025
We recently hosted a Masterclass with The Balvenie, where clients were expertly led through a series of fine whiskies.
At Bordeaux Index, we regularly host 'masterclasses', an opportunity for our clients to hear first-hand, from producers, makers and notable figures in the wine and spirits world. Last night, we were lucky enough to be joined by two representatives from The Balvenie, Charles Metcalfe, Global Brand Ambassador for The Balvenie, and Tim Foster, Business Account Manager - Meta Luxury Off Trade, William Grant & Sons.
Clients embarked on a guided journey through some of The Balvenie’s most exquisite whiskies. The evening showcased four remarkable expressions: beginning with The Balvenie 16-Year-Old French Oak, followed by The Balvenie 21-Year-Old Portwood, an elegantly rich example of the distillery style. This was followed by a pair of beautifully complex whiskies; The Balvenie 25-Year-Old Rare Marriages, and The Balvenie 30-Year-Old Rare Marriages, both of which could be considered to be the pinnacle of The Balvenie's artistry. It was an unforgettable experience of storytelling, tradition, and, of course, exceptional whisky.
History of The Balvenie
Nestled in the heart of Speyside just outside of Dufftown, The Balvenie has quietly become one of the world’s favourite and most sought-after single malt whiskies. In the last 50 years it has rapidly become an icon amongst whisky lovers, seemingly able to offer something to cater to all tastes and fashions within the category of Scotland’s most famous export. A distillery that still maintains elements of the traditional process of whisky making, it has also been at the forefront of innovation throughout its history, and it is often said that no one makes as much excellent whisky as The Balvenie.
In 1886, William Grant built the Glenfiddich Distillery next to the Robbie Dhu in Dufftown, one of Speyside’s most prominent distilling towns. In only five years, demand for his whisky from the big blenders of the day was so great that he needed to open another distillery to satisfy all of his orders – the result was Glen Gordon distillery, which first began distilling in 1893, and soon changed its name to Balvenie in honour of the huge, ruined castle located next door. For much of the following century, Balvenie was little seen, with the vast majority of its output destined for the enormously popular “Grant’s Standfast” blend. However, with the successful launch of Glenfiddich as a single malt in 1964, this sector of the market had seen significant growth, and The Balvenie was bottled and marketed as a single malt for the first time in 1973. At this point, the distillery was still using their traditional floor maltings for the majority of their barely, and though this is now no longer feasible, up to 15% of their total production is still made in this way, contributing to the sweet, honeyed and cereal style of the new make spirit that runs from its 9 stills.
Whilst under the auspices of one man, David C Stewart, for nearly 60 years, The Balvenie maintained many of the characteristics of a smaller distillery, and this has been continued by his successor as Malt Master, Kelsey McKechnie. This is whisky crafted to the highest possible level, with no expense spared for intensive detail, and custom innovation paired with many of the old customs of whisky production, the combination of which has made The Balvenie a global superstar. The only apparent struggle is one of quantity; with global demand far outstripping what this relatively small distillery is able to produce, The Balvenie is becoming increasingly scarce, with many of its best loved expressions in shorter supply. As such, we are delighted to offer a selection of bottlings from this supreme Speyside distillery.
The Balvenie 21-Year-Old Port Wood– GBP 160 IB per bottle
70cl @ 40% ABV
First launched in 1996 as an extension of David Stewart’s then almost entirely novel practice of secondary maturation, The Balvenie 21-Year-Old Port Wood has become one of the best loved “finished” whiskies in the world, perfectly balanced between distillate character, that of its initial ageing in American oak, and then its finishing period in casks which have previously held Port. The result is a rich, indulgent whisky, offering The Balvenie’s classic honeyed character mixed with darker, fruiter tones from Port.
Notes of white peach, sultana, fresh honey and macadamia nut on the nose, with some elegant red berry fruit, spicy oak and cocoa powder. Full bodied and creamy on the palate, with some cranberries, raspberries and juicy barley sugar, supported by sweet vanilla pod, breakfast preserves and more rich honey. Long and nutty on the finish, with a touch of leafiness, white grape juice and milk chocolate.
The Balvenie 25-Year-Old – GBP 460 IB per bottle
70cl @ 48% ABV
In a flawless whisky marriage, Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE and Kelsey McKechnie bring together individual casks that have matured in traditional American and European Oak to craft an incredibly intricate and balanced expression of The Balvenie, and one that demonstrates just how well the sweet distillate can take to extended ageing in active casks.
Candied orange peel on the nose, with mellow oak, honey, fresh bread and cream, giving way to a palate bold vanilla oak, toasted marshmallows, fresh fruit terrine and cinnamon infused apple tart. Long and sweet on the finish, with honey-soaked peaches, gentle oak and barley sugar.
The Balvenie 30-Year-Old – GBP 2,645 IB per bottle
70cl @ 44.2% ABV
Perhaps the sweetest and most honeyed expressions of all of the expressions of The Balvenie, the 30-Year-Old rare marriages is matured in a combination of American and European oak, some of it sherry seasoned. Very few whiskies are able to maintain balance after three decades in cask, but the sweet, rounded nature of The Balvenie distillate makes the perfect partner for long ageing, especially in casks which have previously held fortified wines.
Candied orange peel, furniture polish, honey and sweet oak spices on the nose, with some roasted nuts and all spice. Warming and rich on the palate, with notes of cigar leaf, rich sherry, dark chocolate, plum and marzipan, with just a touch of caramelised pear, juicy malt and fresh honey on the finish.
The Balvenie 40-Year-Old – GBP 5,825 IB per bottle
70cl @ 42.2% ABV
Using some of the rarest casks held with the Balvenie’s Dufftown warehouses, the 40-Year-Old expression is one of the most revered whiskies in the world, marrying as it does powerful sherry casks with more subtle, traditional casks that allow the superb distillate to shine through. Produced in tiny quantities each year and increasingly scarce, this expression is without a doubt is one of the global icons of the whisky world.
Honey and orange marmalade initially on the nose, with notes of dried apricots, ginger, crystallised citrus peels and freshly crushed vanilla pods. Thyme honey and orange blossom on the palate, with sherried fruits, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and mature orchard fruit. Sweet and warming on the finish with some roasted nuts, honey and lemon peel.