The Balvenie Adds A 16 Year French Oak Cask Finish Scotch

The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky recently unveiled its latest expression within its Cask Finishes Range: The Balvenie French Oak 16-Year-Old. The casks used for finishing previously held Pineau wine from the French Charentes vineyards.

The whisky, according to those behind it, was inspired by parent company “William Grant & Sons U.S. Ambassador Lorne Cousin’s flavor journey through wine making regions of France.” Pineau des Charentes, or simply Pineau, is a fortified wine made from unfermented grape juice, to which Cognac eau-de-vie is added and then matured.

It is said to bring “a refreshingly concise finish and rich flavor profile, marked by the energizing taste of tangy lemon rind and grapefruit in combination with the subtle sweetness of glazed fruits and root ginger spice.”

The French Oak 16-Year-Old joins DoubleWood 12-Year-Old, Caribbean Cask 14-Year-Old and Portwood 21-Year-Old as part of The Balvenie’s Cask Finishes Range.

“Curiosity and a passion for uncovering the exceptional guides the creation of each expression from our distillery.  As part of our continued journey of exploration and innovation, we found that French wine casks offer a light, fresh finish we had not previously leveraged,” said Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, in a prepared statement. “Pineau des Charentes’ vibrant and distinct flavors, extracted from our signature double maturation process, not only bring greater depth to our range but deliver an element of luxury and craft that is unmistakably The Balvenie.”

Marking the latest permanent addition to the range since the introduction of the Caribbean Cask 14-Year-Old in 2013, this newest release is now available across the U.S. for around $175. It is bottled at 47.6% ABV, and you’ll find official tasting notes below.

• Nose: Beautifully balanced light floral notes from lotus and geranium flowers dance between hints of fresh meadow grass and pealed apple skin.
• Taste: An energising zing from tangy lemon rind and grapefruit meet the delicate subtle sweetness of glazed fruits and spice from root ginger.
• Finish: Refreshingly concise.