What's Special About Balvenie Whisky?

Old school meets innovative at the Balvenie distillery

William Grant established the Balvenie distillery in Dufftown in 1892. Tradition is a cornerstone of this family-owned business, which remains in the Grant family. Among its time-honored practices is the cultivation of barley on a farm managed by fifth-generation local farmers. This barley is combined with spring water and spread across the malting floors, where it is hand-turned up to four times daily. Due to the volume of whisky produced, most of the malted barley is sourced externally. The malted barley is then dried in kilns using anthracite coal and peat, a semi-decayed plant material used as fuel.

The distillery's copper stills are distinctive, featuring a rounded shape at the neck's base. According to the brand, this design allows the vapors to mix for a longer duration, contributing to the whisky's unique honey notes. The whisky is aged, often in multiple types of barrels, to enhance the complexity of flavors in the final product. One of Balvenie's most renowned offerings, the 12-year-old Doublewood, showcases many of the cherished qualities of the distillery's creations. It is a well-balanced whisky with notes of honey and cinnamon, and minimal smokiness from peat. Balvenie's blend of tradition and innovation has resulted in a remarkable array of exceptional single malt scotches.