The Balvenie distillery, through its Stories range of varied Scotch expressions, has debuted a new and more well aged, peated whisky into global travel retail.
The Balvenie The Week of Peat Aged 19 Years, according to those behind it, is a limited edition offering that’s been matured in three different types of casks. It was created by The Balvenie Malt Master’s Apprentice, Kelsey McKechnie, under the stewardship of David C. Stewart MBE, and follows on the heels of similar peated style releases in recent times.
Peated whisky is not something that’s normally part of The Balvenie’s modern profile of spirits production. All were, according to the brand, “originally inspired by distillery manager Ian Millar who spotted a week’s gap in the distillery schedule. Eager to experiment with The Balvenie profile, he ordered a batch of Speyside peat and headed for the kiln. Now for one week each year, the distillery creates peated whisky using Speyside peat.”
“For a week a year, The Balvenie distils a batch of peated malt celebrating the traditional whisky making of the past,” said McKechnie in a prepared statement. “This adds an extra layer of peated intensity to our signatured honey character. A 19 year old take on Balvenie’s delicately smoky Week of Peat, this expression has matured just a little longer in three separate types of casks resulting in a single malt rich in honey, vanilla and citrus notes with an extra layer of delicate smokiness.
“First-fill and refill American oak bourbon casks amplify the peat’s rich smokiness and draw out a syrupy sweetness while Oloroso sherry butts round it out with a new lingering taste of cinnamon and ginger spice.”
The Balvenie Week of Peat, 19 year old (48.3% ABV) is now available worldwide, adding to the current Stories range which includes Creation of a Classic which launched recently in 2021 and The Tale of a Dog Aged 46 years. No immediate price point was mentioned, and you’ll find more official information, including tasting notes, below.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: A malty sweetness on the nose complemented by beautifully toasted oak and rich smoke. Vanilla toffee gives way to a cinnamon spiciness.
- Taste: Rich and earthy smoke reveals syrupy sweetness, fresh citrus, creamy vanilla and honey, ending with a cinnamon and ginger spice.
- Finish: Delicate smoke with a lingering and spicy sweetness.
Cask Types:
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- Refill cask – This cask allows the spirit to mellow over time and the true distillery style to come through.
- First fill bourbon cask – Adds round toffee sweetness and hints of vanilla and oak.
- Sherry cask – Creates notes of beautiful spice and dried fruits, balanced tart tannins and oak.
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