THE BALVENIE TUN 1401 BATCH 4: AN EXCEPTIONAL NEW WHISKY FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL RETAIL

The latest release from David Stewart, Scotch whisky’s most admired Malt Master, is The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 4, an outstanding single malt married from ten selected rare and precious casks from across the ages – and available exclusively in travel retail from March2012. It sees its official launch to Asia at this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific & GATE ONE2ONE (stand K21).

Almost half a century of experience has given David Stewart unparalleled expertise in single malt maturation. For Batch 4 of The Balvenie Tun 1401, David filled the tun with The Balvenie matured in three sherry butts (1970, 1971 and 1973) and seven traditional American oak barrels (1966, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1980 and 1990) carefully chosen to create a single malt characterised by luxurious honey, mellow spices and oak. Velvety smooth and rich, accompanied by soft ripe fruits and a citrus sweetness, the taste then brings a wave of vanilla and a hint of butterscotch. Abv is 48%.

Says William Grant & Son Global Marketing Manager Ian Taylor: ’Only the finest casks of The Balvenie have been considered by Malt Master David Stewart for inclusion in Tun 1401 and we are delighted that Batch 4 has been reserved exclusively for global travel retail. GTR remains a crucial channel for William Grant & Sons and we have developed a careful portfolio of exclusive expressions for The Balvenie . This latest creation is a wonderful addition which will enhance the current range adding further interest and excitement for travellers worldwide.’

Hand-bottled at The Balvenie Distillery in Speyside, each is presented in a gift tube which includes explanatory copy and tasting notes. Just 2,500 bottles of The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 4 will be available exclusively in travel retail outlets at an RRP of £150.

Launched in March as part of a The Balvenie range promotion across World Duty Free Group outlets including Manchester T2, Glasgow and London Heathrow, The Balvenie Tun 1401 is also available in Qatar, Air Rianta Cyprus and James Richardson (Israel), as well as in JFK (International Shoppes) from May 1^st.The launch has been supported by an educational brochure which is handed out to passengers .

Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications. Email:row@essentialcommunications.org

April 2012

Notes to editors

About The Balvenie

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart, The Balvenie Malt Master. Each has a very individual taste, but each is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.

• Tun 1401 takes its name from the traditional oak marrying tun in which the aged whisky was married. Marrying tun 1401 is found inside the Balvenie Distillery’s Warehouse 24.

• Born in Ayr on the west coast of Scotland in 1945, David Stewart joined William Grant & Sons in 1962, the year before Single Malt Scotch Whisky was first officially exported to England. He was appointed the distiller’s Malt Master in 1974 and his renowned ability to identify the finest casks of whisky for maturation has helped William Grant & Sons earn the Distiller of the Year accolade an unprecedented eight times (2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000 and 1999).

• 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.

• 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.