The Balvenie has announced the release of The Balvenie Sixty, a single cask bottling from 1962, marking the distillery’s oldest and rarest whisky released for sale to date. 

 

The extremely rare bottling marks the anniversary of 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’ according to The Balvenie producers, William Grant & Sons.

 

“Throughout his time at The Balvenie, David C Stewart MBE has developed unrivalled knowledge and pioneered techniques that have had a profound impact on the whisky making processes used today; most notably his developments around ‘cask finishes’,  which led to a new way of creating flavour in whisky and a technique adopted in whisky making the world over,” said the brand.

 

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 McKecknie.

 

“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 honour.”

 

Describing the liquid, McKecknie said: “On the nose the whisky has a mesmerising array of autumnal aromas; lavender, heather and bracken.

 

“Whilst rich toffee, roasted coffee and beautifully layered oak dominate the palate.

 

“The flavour evolves with time revealing bursts of cloves, nutmeg, charred oak and candied orange in an exceptional long-lasting finish.”

 

Stewart added: “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.

 

“For six decades it has rested and matured, now marking quite a poignant moment for me on my journey.’’

 

The Balvenie Sixty ABV 42.4% will be released in GTR in Q1 2023 with only a select few bottles available.