The Balvenie marks half century milestone with £42,500 whisky
Speyside distillery The Balvenie has launched the first in a trio of its rarest releases to date, priced at £42,500, as part of The Balvenie Fifty Collection.
The distillery will release 125 bottles annually over the next three years to mark its 50-year history.
Its first edition launched today (7 August), and is a unique single cask expression (cask number 8720), aged in a European oak refill butt, filled in 1973.
Malt master Kelsey McKechnie selected the expression to be part of The Balvenie Fifty Collection. She said of the first whisky release: “Using a refill butt for the First Edition in this collection provides us with a distinctive flavour thread that will run through our next two releases, demonstrating the spectrum of flavours and aromas in our aged spirit.
For the second edition, McKechnie has introduced a second American oak hogshead cask filled in 1973 to marry with the first. She has then added a third American oak barrel filled in a 1974 cask to the marriage for the final edition.
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McKechnie added: “Each edition in this collection is a testament to the craftsmanship that has defined our liquid over the past 50 years. The unique characteristics of these rare casks come together to create a truly exceptional experience and set a new benchmark for our contribution to the rare and extraordinary whisky market at Balvenie.”
Packaging for each of the 125 bottles has been created by Croglin, a bespoke craft workshop based in Cumbria, and includes a 14 carat gold plated brass display.
The Balvenie Fifty First Edition (ABV 52.3%) launched today (7 August) exclusively in Harrods, where the first edition is available for £42,500. The liquid will launch globally at select retailers from 12 September 2024.
The Second Edition and Third Edition will launch in 2025 and 2026.
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