The Balvenie : 16 Year Old French Oak

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for the 16 Ans French Oak from The Balvenie

Tasting

Nose
Complex bouquet revealing intense aromas of honey and orange marmalade, elevated by delicate floral notes of lotus and geranium. Harmoniously mingling are touches of fresh meadow grass, peeled apple skin and vanilla, accentuated by a hint of nutmeg and nuances of green grape skins. Over time, indulgent notes of apple turnover and demerara sugar emerge.

Palate
A lively attack marked by ginger spice, followed by notes of shortbread and ice wine. The invigorating zest of lemon and grapefruit meets the subtle sweetness of candied fruits, while the oak's vanilla brings roundness and depth. Together, they reveal a beautiful harmony between lively acidity and fresh ginger spice.

Pairings and Tasting Occasions

This single malt is ideally enjoyed neat to fully appreciate its complexity, on the rocks for a more refreshing experience, or with a few drops of water to fully reveal the aromas and flavor depth developed during its French oak cask maturation.

A Speyside Scotch Single Malt with Unprecedented French Accents

The Balvenie, an Iconic Speyside Distillery

The Balvenie, a Speyside Scotch distillery, was founded in 1892 by William Grant in Dufftown, with production beginning in 1893. Owned by William Grant & Sons since its inception, this distillery has never changed hands. Led by David C. Stewart MBE, The Balvenie grows and malts 15% of its barley and operates eleven stills. This preserved artisanal approach, combined with innovations such as the Doublewood, fundamentally sets The Balvenie apart in the realm of single malts.

French Oak 16 Ans, a Historic First

This expression marks a revolutionary first in The Balvenie's 130-year history: the use of French oak for finishing. This Scotch whisky undergoes an initial 16-year maturation in ex-bourbon casks, followed by 6 months of finishing in French oak casks that previously held Pineau des Charentes, the fortified wine from the Cognac region made from unfermented grape juice and brandy.

This innovation traces back to 2013, when the brand's ambassadors met a Pineau des Charentes producer in France. David Stewart then experimented with casks that had held both white pineau and red pineau, ultimately favoring the latter for their superior match with The Balvenie's character.