{"product_id":"balvenie-16-year-old-french-oak-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-3cl-sample","title":"Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 3cl Sample","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 28px;\"\u003eBalvenie 16 Year Old French Oak Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 3cl Sample\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Balvenie French Oak whisky\u003c\/em\u003e is a vibrant \u003cem\u003esingle malt \u003c\/em\u003efinished in \u003cem\u003ecasks \u003c\/em\u003ethat previously held wine from the \u003cem\u003eFrench Charentes\u003c\/em\u003e vineyards.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fascinating release from Speyside's superb Balvenie Distillery. This expression was initially aged in American oak casks, before being transferred over to casks that previously held Pineau from France. This has introduced a generous helping of honey-glazed fruit and a subtle leafy hint to this 16 year old single malt's flavour profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Balvenie and their Malt Master David C. Stewart are the masters of maturation, and with this stunning 16-year-old release they showcase these finely honed skills in cask management. Matured for 16 years in American Oak it is then finished in ex-Pineau French oak casks bringing sweet fruits, zesty and floral notes. Pineau is a fortified wine made from the unfermented grape juices with Cognac eau die vie added before its maturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBottled at 47.6% abv this sensational single malt showcases an abundance of vanilla spice and warm honey notes alongside grapefruit, geranium, glazed fruits and vibrant ginger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RichText_container__9OFb4\"\u003eFrench Oak\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LongText_paragraph__pC68H\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Balvenie\u003c\/em\u003e USA brand ambassador \u003cem\u003eLorne Cousin\u003c\/em\u003e suggested Honorary Ambassador \u0026amp; Former \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebalvenie.com\/crafting-the-balvenie\/our-craftsmen\/malt-masters\/\" class=\"RichText_action__7lyjN\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LongText_action__U0LF4\"\u003eMalt Master\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cem\u003eDavid C. Stewart MBE\u003c\/em\u003e explore these casks after a trip to the region with his family, where he fondly remembers sipping an \u003cem\u003eapéritif\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose : Gingerbread and sponge cake, with a splash of grapefruit freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate : Almond pastries, honeyed apricot, geranium, buttery vanilla, and a little hint of toasted cedar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish : More citrus and honey, now with a hint of honeydew melon in the mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Balvenie \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eBalvenie distillery shares the same (massive) site with Glenfiddich and Kininvie but makes its whisky in a very different manner to its two sisters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts floor maltings have been retained and although this only makes up a small percentage (up to 15%) of the total mash, it is believed that it helps contribute character to the new make – the small amount of peat which is burned might help. Given that Balvenie has only opened to visitors in recent times, it certainly wasn’t kept for cosmetic or touristic reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a large distillery with nine, fat, short-necked stills producing a new make character which is notably sweet and honeyed – completely different to both Glenfiddich and Kininvie. Interestingly, when William Grant built its Ailsa Bay malt distillery in Girvan, the still shape replicated that of Balvenie, but the new make is different again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was one of the first distilleries to introduce a ‘finished’ single malt with the launch in 1993 of Double Wood, which was first aged in ex-Bourbon casks before being given a short period of secondary maturation (aka finishing) in ex-Sherry. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis utilisation of different wood types runs through the Balvenie range with a new 17-year-old Double Wood recently joining Caribbean Cask (ex-rum) 14 year old, and the 21-year-old Port Wood as part of the core range. As well as single barrel releases and older age variants up to 50 years in the range, a cult small batch, Tun 1401, has also recently appeared, followed by Tun 1509.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalvenie was built on a 12 acre site adjacent to Glenfiddich in 1892\/3. Originally known as Glen Gordon it took the name of the huge (ruined) castle which was located next door. The ‘new’ castle, already derelict in 1893, was turned into maltings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery provided fillings, primarily for the Grant’s Standfast blend, until 1973 when the first official bottling was made. Its continued requirements as a contributor to blends initially restricted its growth as a stand-alone brand (although increasing its cult status). This was eased slightly with the opening of Kininvie in 1990, but it was only with the building of Ailsa Bay that greater stocks were finally made available. It is now one of the fastest-growing single malt brands in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e47.8% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3cl Dram\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Balvenie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52785054056786,"sku":"5010327525464a","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/4371974898.jpg?v=1771932152","url":"https:\/\/whiskysituation.co.uk\/products\/balvenie-16-year-old-french-oak-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-3cl-sample","provider":"Whisky Situation","version":"1.0","type":"link"}