The Balvenie Adds Another Peated Whisky To Its Line Up

The popular The Balvenie distillery in Scotland’s Speyside region is not exactly known for the use of peat in its bottlings, though in the past it has made a tiny portion of its line up focused on that style of expression. Those at this whisky making facility have been tinkering, however, recently releasing a travel retail offering that’s peated in nature. Now comes word of another smokey offering, known as The Balvenie Peat Week Aged 14 Years (2002 Vintage).

The The Balvenie Peat Week Aged 14 Years (2002 Vintage), according to those behind it, was conceptualized by The Balvenie’s Malt Master David Stewart MBE and Ian Millar, former distillery manager back in 2001/2002. Since this pioneering moment, the distillery has dedicated one week each year, aptly named Peat Week, to using only peated barley in its production, to craft a different style of The Balvenie liquid with enhanced smoky notes.

This particular Scotch is a single vintage bottling, having been matured exclusively in American oak casks before being bottled at 48.3% ABV. It is non-chill filtered and pays special homage to a time when peated whiskies were commonly produced by distilleries across Speyside.

“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,” said Stewart in a prepared statement. “The new Peat Week bottling is a result of our continued efforts to innovate and trial flavors 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.”

Plans call for The Balvenie Peat Week Aged 14 Years (2002 Vintage) whisky to price around $99. You’ll find official tasting notes below from the distillery.

• Nose: Gentle sweet peat smoke with some lighter floral notes and delicate butterscotch honey.
• Taste: Velvety and round to taste with the peat smoke balancing citrus flavours, oaky vanilla and blossom honey.
• Finish: Gentle smoke with a lingering and creamy vanilla sweetness.