Whisky Focus - The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 7 Travel Retail Exclusive

• Cask No. 15914
   
• Cask No. 5033
   
• Cask No. 14824
   
• Cask No. 7051
   
• Cask No. 15342
   
• Cask No. 15336
   
• Cask No. 5823
   
• Cask No. 13453
   
• Cask No. 442

Sherry Butts

• Cask No. 6440
   
• Cask No. 5173

After David Stewart selected these casks, they were all transferred into the now famous Balvenie Tun 1401, which is a traditional oak marrying vessel cared for by the distillery’s on-site team of coopers. I am told that some of the casks in the vatting have been quietly maturing since David's early days with The Balvenie and David has recently celebrated 50 years with The Balvenie so I would say that Batch 7 will contain some pretty rare old Balvenie whisky. David then left the vatting to marry for several months to create a single malt that enhances its already precious parts, the resulting single malt is, so I am told, exceptionally rich and complex.

Commenting on the new release, David Stewart said: "I always look forward to selecting the different casks of aged Balvenie whisky for the batches we marry in Tun 1401 and Batch 7 was no exception. This new batch is quite different to Batch 4, the previous batch which was available in travel retail outlets, as it contains more whisky matured in traditional American ex-Bourbon barrels, so it contains more soft vanilla notes.

"The way we transfer the whisky from each of the casks into Tun 1401 is also always a memorable experience. It could be done quickly using a machine, but we like to use a lovely old pump that is operated by hand – it takes a while (see video below), but we’ve also maintained the tradition of doing it manually. The pump has been used at the distillery for more than 50 years, even longer than I have been here!"

Tun 1401 is The Balvenie’s traditional oak marrying vessel, housed in Warehouse 24. The seventh batch to have rested within the tun is rich, deep and floral on the nose with luscious maltiness, blossom honey and notes of orange peel overlaid with a delicate sweetness and mature oak tannin. The taste is silky sweet, with cinnamon, honey and gentle vanilla mingling with hints of oak to give great depth of flavour. Citrus notes, soft vanilla and elegant honey linger on the finish.

Hand-bottled at The Balvenie Distillery in Speyside, The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 7 has an ABV of 49.2% and will be available worldwide, from March 2013, exclusively through travel retail outlets at an RRP of £175.
 

Video - Creation of Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 3

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 4
Made for travel retail. Mr Stewart normally allows three months for the marrying period, but batch four was married for a total of four months.

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 5
Batch 5 released worldwide, made up of 9 casks, five traditional American oak casks from 1966, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1991 and four sherry butts distilled in 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1975. All married in the impressive Tun 1401.

Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 6
The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 6, this is the 2nd batch to be released exclusively in the United States. Released in October 2012.

How do the batches differ?
When asked how he expects the batches to differ, Balvenie Malt Master David Stewart said, "…the batches do have some similarity but if one were to line the batches up for sampling, which I haven’t done yet, we might be surprised by the differences that there are. I think that each has this citrus orangey flavour which seems consistent…"
 

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