THE BALVENIE TUN 1401 BATCH NO 7: EXCLUSIVE FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL RETAIL

David Stewart, Scotch whisky’s most experienced Malt Master, has produced another outstanding small batch of The Balvenie Tun 1401. Batch 7 of this single malt, which is a marriage of rare Balvenie matured in nine traditional American whisky casks and two European sherry butts, hand-selected by David, will be available exclusively in global travel retail outlets.

After selection, the aged whisky – some of which was distilled in David’s earliest days at the distillery – was transferred into the impressive Tun 1401, a traditional oak marrying vessel cared for by the distillery’s on-site team of coopers. Left to rest for several months to create a single malt that enhances its already precious parts, the resulting single malt is exceptionally rich and complex.

Commenting on the new release, David Stewart said: “I always look forward to selecting the different casks of aged Balvenie whisky for the batches we marry in Tun 1401 and Batch 7 was no exception. This new batch is quite different to Batch 4, the previous batch which was available in travel retail outlets, as it contains more whisky matured in traditional American ex-Bourbon barrels, so it contains more soft vanilla notes.”

“The way we transfer the whisky from each of the casks into Tun 1401 is also always a memorable experience. It could be done quickly using a machine, but we like to use a lovely old pump that is operated by hand – it takes a while, but we’ve also maintained the tradition of doing it manually. The pump has been used at the distillery for more than 50 years, even longer than I have been here!”

Tun 1401 is The Balvenie’s traditional oak marrying vessel, housed in Warehouse 24. The seventh batch to have rested within the tun is rich, deep and floral on the nose with luscious maltiness, blossom honey and notes of orange peel overlaid with a delicate sweetness and mature oak tannin. The taste is silky sweet, with cinnamon, honey and gentle vanilla mingling with hints of oak to give great depth of flavour. Citrus notes, soft vanilla and elegant honey linger on the finish.

Hand-bottled at The Balvenie Distillery in Speyside, The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 7 has an ABV of 49.2% and will be available worldwide, from March 2013, exclusively through travel retail outlets at an RRP of £175.

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Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications

Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

Notes to editors

About The Balvenie

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart, The Balvenie Malt Master, who celebrated his 50^th year at the distillery in 2012. Each has a very individual taste, but each is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.

• The Balvenie is dedicated to the five rare crafts that are used to create The Balvenie’s distinctive taste. It is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, uses traditional floor maltings and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on site – making The Balvenie the most handcrafted of malts.

• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants.