William Grant & Sons has revealed three new whiskies from The Balvenie Cask Finishes range, two of which will launch exclusively in global travel retail on 1 April.
Inspired by flavour journeys from The Balvenie team throughout wine-making regions of Europe, the new travel retail expressions feature finishing casks from Madeira and Pedro Ximénez from Jerez. In addition, the first time in the distillery’s 129-year history, Pineau casks from the French Charentes vineyards are paired with whisky to create a new offer (for the domestic market).
The travel retail Cask Finishes range now includes:
- Madeira Cask 15 Year Old
- Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask 18 Year Old
Both new expressions will be listed by all key retailers with brand activation support through major duty free locations. In Asia these include Seoul Incheon, Jeju, Taipei Taoyuan and through retailers in Hainan Island.
In Europe, a number of high-profile promotions have been agreed with Gebr. Heinemann for airports including Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Berlin, Budapest, Copenhagen, Vienna and Munich.
The new expressions house flavours developed using Malt Master David Stewart’s pioneering finishing process begun in 1982. Stewart said: “It is no secret that I enjoy sweet wines like Madeira and when introduced to Pineau I was instantly impressed by the flavour profile and interested to see what these casks would bring to The Balvenie.”
The Balvenie Global Brand Ambassador Charles Metcalfe said: “Pineau casks are very rarely seen in the Scotch whisky industry and they have paired with the Balvenie spirit perfectly, adding orchard fruits and a citrusy zing.
“The extra sweetness and richness from the Pedro Ximenez cask adds a lovely rich weight to the palette of our 18 Year Old, with all of those delicious dark fruits coming through.”
The Madeira Cask 15 Year Old is a single malt finished in casks which previously held sweet Madeira wine. Having used casks from the volcanic island for older expressions in the past, a recent holiday there “reignited David Stewart’s passion for Madeira’s versatile dessert wine and complex casks,” said the brand owner. Throughout the cask’s journey they were exposed to the heat of the sun, naturally sweetening wine it held, leading to the creation of a “light, lively yet characterful whisky”.
The second sherry finish for the Cask Finishes range is The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Cask Aged 18 years. The sweet wine from Pedro Ximénez casks gets its intensity from the sun ripened vines. While sherry is a popular cask type in Scotch, this is only the second time The Balvenie has used it in its range of finishes.
“We’re delighted to be launching The Balvenie Cask Finishes Range with two exclusive editions for global travel retail,” said William Grant & Sons Head of Customer Marketing, GTR Lindsay Hitzeroth.
“The channel has always been about discovery, offering consumers the opportunity to find something new and different, yet with the confidence of brand knowledge and integrity. As travel now begins to show real recovery in the aftermath of Covid, we will continue to inspire and engage consumers with The Balvenie 15yo Madeira Cask and 18 yo Pedro Ximénez Cask, both delivering the quality of liquid and iconic appeal that luxury shoppers will be searching for.”
The domestic Cask Finishes range line-up now includes:
- Doublewood 12 Year Old
- Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old
- French Oak 16 Year Old
- Portwood 21 Year Old
The process of finishing means taking whisky out of its original maturation cask and transferring it into a second cask type, adding a secondary layer of complexity to the whisky.
Tasting notes (from The Balvenie)
The Balvenie Madeira Cask Aged 15 Years
Nose: Overflowing flavours of blackcurrants and brambles slowly layer upon gingery syrup and delicate spice.
Taste: Ripe fruitiness from fresh peaches lead to a citrus orange zing, hazelnuts and crisp oakiness coating the pallet.
Finish: Long lasting.
ABV: 43%
First Cask
Several years of maturation in traditional American Oak whisky barrels imparts warming layers of honey and vanilla for our sweet signature honeyed core flavour.
Second Cask
Finishing in Madeira casks increases complexity, bringing notes of fresh peaches, oranges zing and hazelnut.
The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Cask Aged 18 Years
Nose: A medley of flavours from raisin & bursting currants, intertwine oak and subtle clove, concealing smooth sweet lavender.
Taste: A modern classic fruit fusion of tart grape skin, mandarin & fig flow together with vibrant oak to coat the mouth with a delicate oil and honeyed sweetness.
ABV: 48.7%
First Cask
Many years of maturation in traditional American Oak whisky barrels mellows the maturing spirit and imparts warming layers of honey and vanilla.
Second Cask
Finishing in Pedro Ximénez sherry butts creates a fusion of sweet lavender, mandarin, fig and subtle clove.
The Balvenie French Oak Cask Aged 16 Years (domestic only)
Nose: Beautifully balanced light floral notes from lotus and geranium flowers dance between hints of fresh meadow grass and peeled apple skin.
Taste: An energising zing from tangy lemon rind and grapefruit meet the delicate subtle sweetness of glazed fruits and spice from root ginger.
Finish: Concise
ABV: 47.6%
First Cask
Years of maturation in American Oak casks brings an abundance of vanilla spice and warm honey notes.
Second Cask
Finishing in Pineau casks creates notes of grapefruit, geranium, glazed fruit and ginger.
