Whisky Forum - Balvenie Whisky Fete

bifter · Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:11 pm Post subject: Balvenie Whisky Fete

If you're partial to a dram or two, the Balvenie Whisky Fete is sure to whet your taste buds. From 26-28 September, St Andrew Square Garden will be home to the Whisky Fete. The event is part of the Balvenie Masters of Craft campaign celebrating the best in British craftsmanship.

The fete will feature free whisky tastings from the traditional distillery and demonstrations in the art of "coopering', the process of making barrels and casks that house the nation's tipples. For members of the Balvenie private club, Wharehouse 24, there will be exclusive private tastings with Dr Andrew Forrester.

On Saturday 28 September, local chocolatiers Thinking Chocolate will be hosting a whisky and chocolate pairing session. Tickets cost Â£5 for the two hour session and include samples of delicious chocolates and three drams of whisky. The confectioners will also be selling a selection of their handmade chocolates including the unusual haggis truffles which complement the rich honeyed character of Balvenie perfectly.

The Whisky Fete's sessions run from 12-6.30pm each day and Royal Mile Whiskies will be on hand selling their wares throughout the day for those who wish to take a nip home.

Balvenie Whisky Fete, 26-28 September, St Andrew Square Garden, www.thebalvenie.com. Entry to the garden is free, see website for details of tasting sessions.

http://www.ionmagazine.co.uk/edinburgh/food-and-drink/latest-food-news/balvenie-whisky-fete-st-andrews-square/
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"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

bifter · Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:12 pm Post subject:

I'm signed up for a free tasting on the Saturday! Very Happy

_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

I too am signed up for the Thursday

bifter · Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 6:54 pm Post subject:

I'm fresh from the Balvenie Whisky Fete, a little fuzzy round the edges too! I had expected this to be a couple of modest samples given it was a free tasting but we enjoyed a wealth of riches!

It was a glorious day at the end of the best summer for years. St Andrews Square Gardens had been taken over by Balvenie, who had erected some domes made from cask staves.

In one of the domes a cooper from Balvenie (unusually they have retained their own cooperage) was demonstrating how to dismantle and reassemble a cask with an ease that I am sure belies the difficulty.

Prior to the tasting we were treated to some Balvenie 12 Double Wood from a cask (just for effect, there is apparently a perspex container inside!). Our host Mark is pictured.

The tasting itself consisted of four malts:

Balvenie 12 Single Barrel
Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask
Balvenie 17 Double Wood
Balvenie 21 Port Wood

Sometimes as you go through a distillery's range you wonder why they bother with certain expressions however this certainly doesn't apply to Balvenie. Each were great examples of their age and finish. Mark ran through these examples fairly quickly and even gave us a taste of some new make (69%), all esters and feints. He then sprang a fantastic surprise on us by producing a bottle of Tun 1401 Batch 8, which was absolutely stellar. Admittedly you would hope so if you were paying Â£220 a bottle! Top Malt

Balvenie's Master Blender, David Stewart, pretty much invented the term 'finishing' and on this evidence they are still masters at it. The pours were very generous and I left with a big smile on my face! Very Happy

_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

William · Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:57 pm Post subject:

The Balvenie invited me along to the Fete but i couldnt make it, they did tell me they would be tasting the Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 8, good to hear that it is another good one.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

Brummie · Master Of Malts Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 661

The Balvenie do have a great range these days, i wish they done a mini gift set of their updated range as i would mind doing a head to head with them all.

Kray · Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 2:04 pm Post subject:

Yes i agree the Balvenie have an excellent range now, just wish they still had a younger port wood finish at a everyday drinking price as the Balvenie does do well in port cask, the vintage port wood bottlings they had a few years back was excellent.

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

I sadly missed this due to work and home commitments, reading bifters update on it im even more gutted that I did