| Region of production: | Speyside |
| Distillery Location: | Dufftown, Moray |
| Year Established: | 1892 |
Top Spirits Produced
- Core Range: DoubleWood 12, DoubleWood 17, Caribbean Cask 14, Portwood Aged 21 Years
- Travel (Duty Free) Range: Triple Cask 12, Madeira Cask Aged 21 Years, Triple Cask 16, Peated Triple Cask Aged 14 Years
- Limited Releases:
- Tun: Tun 1509 (Batch No. 1, 2, 3, and 4), Tun 1858 (Batch No. 4 and 5)
- Single Barrel: 12, 15, 25 Years Old
- The DCS Compendium: A selection of rare, single-cask whiskies released annually in groups of five over five years, reflecting the contributions of David C. Stewart to the industry.
- Rare: Thirty, Forty, Fifty, Peat Week 2003 Vintage Aged 14 Years
Average Total Production
- 7 million liters neutral spirit before aging
Summary
The Balvenie was founded in 1892 by William Grant. Despite growth and the acquisition of additional stills early on, it was not until 1971 that the first official bottle of The Balvenie single malt was released. Grant passed away in 1923, the same year that his son, John, expanded the distillery for the first time. In 1962, David C. Stewart began working with the company at the age of 17. He became the master distiller in 1974 and remains with the company today, one of the longest-serving malt masters in the industry. Stewart has played an integral role in the development of the brand, including introducing the finishing of spirits in alternative casks. His DCS Compendium is a range of 25 whiskies released annually beginning in 2015; these are his final selections, intended to offer a comprehensive picture of his knowledge of his craft. In addition to the high-touch of its malt master, The Balvenie grows its own barley, has one of the few active malting floors left in Scotland, and maintains a cooperage, exemplifying how the industry might have looked before most houses’ production exceeded their onsite capabilities.
Style & Distillation Techniques
The Balvenie grows its own barley for malting, has its own malting floor, and employs a coppersmith and cooperage onsite. The unique shape of the distillery’s copper stills, which is celebrated in the shape of the whisky bottles, contributes to the spirit’s flavor.
Producer Website: Balvenie