The Balvenie Continues its Stories Range With 2 Expressions Honoring Scotch Distillery’s ‘Hidden Gems’

The Balvenie announced on July 1 that it is releasing two limited-edition scotch whiskies within its Stories Range: a 14-year-old aged in a bourbon barrel and an 18-year-old finished in a French Pineau cask. The Balvenie claims that its present releases honor the spirit of collaboration between Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie and Warehouse and Samples Coordinator George Patterson.

“This collection perfectly exemplifies the rare and limited Balvenie casks making their debut,” The Balvenie Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie said in a news release. “It is an honor to collaborate daily with talented craftspeople like George, who dedicates his time and craft to shepherding our casks to distinction and bringing our liquid to life. I am delighted to share this opportunity with him, showcasing his expertise and sharing his knowledge of our warehouses with the world.”

The Balvenie’s American bourbon barrel expression spent 14 years aging in former bourbon barrels. The scotch whisky brand claims it possesses sweet aromas on the nose, with toffee and charred oak. An undercurrent of citrus fruit is present, and it segues into the pour. On the palate, citrus fruit and earth lingers, coupled with a lengthy finish. The expression possesses a suggested retail price of $114.99.

The French Pineau cask expression spent a decade aging in a mixture of ex-bourbon and European oak casks. Afterwards, it was finished for 8 years in casks that held Pineau des Charentes from French vineyards, according to the brand. The Pineau casks impart berry aromas, with warm amber and oak. The palate possesses sweetness intermingled with spice, vanilla and honey. The whisky finishes with gentle tannins. Balvenie 18-Year-Old French Pineau Cask Finish possesses a suggested retail price of $399.99.

Previous releases from The Balvenie’s Stories Range include the 12 Year Old The Sweet Toast of American Oak and the 42 Year Old The Tale of the Dog. The Balvenie claims that Patterson and McKechnie have a penchant for selecting “weird and wonderful outliers” and other distinctive casks that hold rare potential.

“Many would say that I have one of the best jobs in the world working in our warehouses, and drawing samples and monitoring those extra special finishes,” The Balvenie Warehouse and Samples Coordinator George Patterson said. “A true highlight for me is being able to identify the hidden gems, casks that are doing the unexpected and bring to life the conversations about them. It is from these moments shared throughout history and relentless curiosity at The Balvenie that brilliant ideas are born.”

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