The Balvenie introduces The Balvenie Fifty Collection, a rare and exclusive celebration of five decades of craftsmanship. Limited to just 125 bottles each year over the next three years, this exceptional release showcases the mastery of the Speyside distillery’s renowned whisky-making tradition.
The journey begins with the First Edition, a singular masterpiece drawn from Cask No. 8720 — a European oak refill butt filled in 1973 and hand-selected by Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie. For the Second Edition, McKechnie masterfully blends in whisky from an American oak hogshead, also filled in 1973, to create a harmonious union of flavors. The grand finale, the Third Edition, takes things a step further, incorporating a third cask — an American oak barrel filled in 1974 — to complete this extraordinary trilogy.
“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. 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. It is a celebration of our legacy, our passion, and our unwavering commitment to producing some of the finest whiskies in the world.”
Kelsey McKechnie, Malt Master
Deep fruits, cassis and candied apricots, layered atop delicate cedar and a warming nutty spice on the nose. Taste flavours of caramelised fruits, rich spice and soft vanilla, which marry together with a delicate ginger spice and ginger zing.
The Balvenie Fifty Collection is a showcase of artistry inside and out. Elevating the experience is bespoke packaging by Croglin, a master craft workshop from Cumbria. Each bottle is encased in a meticulously crafted presentation, featuring over 100 unique components. A striking helix structure made of four layers of wood is precision-engineered with an astonishing tolerance of less than 1/10th of a millimetre. Completing the grandeur is a 14-carat gold-plated brass display that radiates timeless elegance.
The First Edition (ABV 52.3%) will make its debut in select Southeast Asia markets in limited quantities. Whisky enthusiasts can look forward to the Second Edition and Third Edition in 2025 and 2026, completing this exceptional trilogy of taste, heritage, and craftsmanship.
