Whisky Focus - Balvenie 40 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Unveiled

Independent distiller William Grant & Sons has unveiled a limited edition 40 year old expression of The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The 40 year old is a batch of just 150 hand numbered bottles, which will be available exclusively in travel retail from July 2010, with each one priced at around £2,500.

The new bottling, aged in sherry casks and refill hogsheads, was created by William Grants Malt Master David Stewart, who has worked for the group since 1962.

Stewart said: "This is the first time we have created a 40 year old for The Balvenie. I'm lucky to work for a family that allows its whisky stocks to age on. The whiskies used in this expression date from the mid 1960s, and it’s important that we took our time to find the right mix of casks and get this new expression right."

Stewart added: "The Balvenie's enduring commitment to quality and craftsmanship ensured any casks with the potential to mature beautifully for many decades were allowed to continue doing so. This has also meant we’re fortunate enough to have some highly aged casks at The Balvenie Distillery which we’re proud to be able to offer to single malt enthusiasts the world over. The rich flavour and unique characteristics of The Balvenie Forty are the result of this careful preparation and craftsmanship."

Stewart said that the new Balvenie 40 year old was rich and complex, with a honeyed character. Its natural colour is dark due to the long ageing process in a mix of American oak and sherry casks.

Each bottle is presented in a bespoke wooden box, handmade in oak by Scottish craftsmen Sam Chinnery and hand-engraved by his father.
 

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