With a single cask bottling from 1962, The Balvenie marked the distillery’s oldest and rarest whisky released for sale to date via The Balvenie Sixty.
The extremely rare bottling also celebrates the anniversary of The Belvenie’s renowned Malt Master, David C. Stewart MBE, who is celebrating six decades at the distillery – making him the longest serving Malt Master in industry history. Throughout his time at The Balvenie, Stewart has developed knowledge and pioneered techniques that have had a profound impact on the whisky making processes.
A tribute to Stewart’s career, this single cask was selected by The Balvenie’s Kelsey McKechnie, who has been mentored by Stewart for the past four years. “I have learned so much from David at work,” said McKechnie. “His mentorship has made a profound impact on me and finding a cask to fit such an incredible character in the Distillery’s history is a great honor.”
McKechnie describes the cask as “on the nose the whisky has a mesmerizing array of autumnal aromas; lavender, heather and bracken. Whilst rich toffee, roasted coffee and beautifully layered oak dominate the palate. The flavor evolves with time revealing bursts of cloves, nutmeg, charred oak and candied orange in an exceptional long lasting finish.”
“I started at the distillery in 1962, as a whisky stocks clerk, this liquid; a new make spirit was filled into a collection of traditional European Oak Hogshead casks,” said The Balvenie Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE. “For six decades it has rested and matured, now marking quite a poignant moment for me on my journey.”
The Balvenie 60’s packaging resembles a work of art; made from glass, gold and brass. The tube casing was designed to reflect layers of memories from Stewart’s career. With five layers each etched with personal anecdotes from influential individuals along his journey. The sixth decade is the bottle itself, made from hand-blown crystal and containing a quote from McKechnie to represent this current decade, and the future generations of The Balvenie.
The Balvenie Sixty is 84 proof and retails for $145,000.
