Balvenie distillery

Coordinates: 57°27′33.1″N 3°7′42.9″W / 57.459194°N 3.128583°W / 57.459194; -3.128583

The Balvenie distillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, owned by William Grant & Sons.

William Grant

William Grant was born on 19 December 1839 in his father's house in Dufftown. At seven he began herding cattle at a farm on the upper reaches of the River Deveron. He was apprenticed to a shoemaker then worked as a clerk, and then became a bookkeeper at Mortlach distillery 1866. There he was appointed as a clerk and then manager and learned the distilling trade.

After about twenty years, Grant left his job at the Mortlach distillery and bought a field near Balvenie Castle. He then drew up plans for his distillery, and the foundation stone was laid in the autumn of 1886.

Grant remained active in the company until his death in 1923 at the age of 83.

Balvenie distillery

In early 1892 work began to convert an 18th-century mansion (Balvenie New House) into a distillery.^[2] The building took fifteen months to complete, and on 1 May 1893, the first distillation took place at the Balvenie Distillery.

In 2007, The Balvenie's Global Brand Ambassador, David Mair presented an online documentary series about the making of malt whisky, shot in and around the Balvenie Distillery.^[3]

Whiskies

Balvenie produces whisky in a traditional style. The use of locally grown barley is preferred, and it is floor-malted.^[2] Of the 100 or so distilleries in Scotland, Balvenie is only one of six distilleries with its own malting floor.^[4]

Core range

Triple cask range

In May 2013 The Balvenie commenced selling their triple cask range. These whiskies have been matured in three distinct cask types: Oloroso sherry butts, first fill bourbon barrels, and traditional whisky casks. These can be characterised by subtle spice and honeycomb flavours. In this range are:

• Triple Cask 12 Year Old [^[18]
• Triple Cask 16 Year Old [^[19]
• Triple Cask 25 Year Old

This range is currently only available to international travellers through the duty-free section of airports.

Limited editions

Awards

Some Balvenie offerings have received awards at spirits ratings competitions. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competitions from 2006–2012, its 15-year single barrel received: gold, silver, gold, silver, and double gold medals.^[21] Its Portwood Cask Finish 21 year won double gold in 2012—the last year it was rated in that competition.^[22] At the 2006 International Spirits Challenge, Balvenie's collective offerings yielded the biggest gold medal haul for any brand in any one year since the competition began.

Other notable awards:

2013 World Whiskies Awards

• The Balvenie 30 Year Old - Best Speyside Single Malt^[23]

2009 International Spirits Challenge

• The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old - Gold

2009 International Wine & Spirit Competition

• The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old - Best in Class

2008 International Spirits Challenge

• The Balvenie Signature Aged 12 Years - Gold

2008 International Wine & Spirit Competition

• The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old - Gold
• The Balvenie Vintage 1974 - Gold
• The Balvenie Vintage 1974 - Best in Class

2008 Scotch Whisky Masters

• The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old - Gold

2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

• The Balvenie Single Barrel 15 Year Old - Gold
• The Balvenie SherryOak 17 Year Old - Gold

2008 World Whiskies Awards

• The Balvenie SherryOak 17 Year Old - Speyside category winner

See also

• Whisky
• Scotch whisky
• List of whisky brands
• List of distilleries in Scotland

References

External links

• Official website

Whisky distilleries in Scotland
Scotch whisky
Campbeltown	Glengyle Glen Scotia Springbank
Highland	Aberfeldy Ardmore Balblair Ben Nevis Blair Athol Clynelish Dalmore Dalwhinnie Deanston Edradour Fettercairn Glencadam Glendronach Glen Garioch Glengoyne Glenmorangie Glen Ord Glenturret Loch Lomond Lochnagar Macduff Oban Old Pulteney Teaninich Tomatin Tullibardine Wolfburn
Island	Abhainn Dearg Arran Barra Blackwood Highland Park Isle of Jura Scapa Talisker Tobermory
Islay	Ardbeg Bowmore Bruichladdich Bunnahabhain Caol Ila Kilchoman Lagavulin Laphroaig
Lowland	Ailsa Bay Annandale Auchentoshan Bladnoch Daftmill Glenkinchie
Speyside	Aberlour Auchroisk Aultmore Balmenach Balvenie Benriach Benrinnes Benromach Brackla Braeval Cardhu Cragganmore Craigellachie Dailuaine Dufftown Glenallachie Glendullan Glen Elgin Glenfarclas Glenfiddich Glenglassaugh Glen Grant Glenlivet Glen Moray Glenrothes Glen Spey Glentauchers Inchgower Kininvie Knockando Knockdhu Linkwood Longmorn Macallan Mannochmore Mortlach Speyburn Speyside Strathisla Tamdhu Tamnavulin Tomintoul Tormore
Grain	Cameronbridge Girvan North British Strathclyde
Closed or mothballed	Ballechin Banff Ben Wyvis Brora Caperdonich Dallas Dhu Finnieston Glenflagler Glenugie Glenury Hazelburn Imperial Kinclaith Ladyburn Littlemill Lochside Millburn North Port Parkmore Pittyvaich Port Charlotte Port Ellen Rosebank St Magdalene
Category Commons   Liquor portal