THE BALVENIE DCS CHAPTER

DCS Chapter 2 – The Influence of Oak

The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter Two features five extremely rare single-cask single malt whiskies and highlights the complex manner in which different oak casks influence the flavour of The Balvenie during the maturation process.

David Stewart MBE pioneered double cask maturation, or finishing, during his career at The Balvenie and this chapter showcases his vast knowledge and understanding of this process.

The Whiskys in Chapter Two, range in age from 15 years to 43 years, with each of the casks chosen by David imparting their own distinct flavour profile to the final expression.

DCS CHAPTER 2 – THE INFLUENCE OF OAK

1972 European oak Olosoro sherry butt

Aged 43 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filled 3rd October 1990

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Rich and deep, elegant oaky notes followed by sweet aromas of raisins, dates and gentle ginger spice.
Taste: Velvety smooth with sweet dried fruits, a deep nuttiness and sherry oak. Gentle warm spices and a touch of oak tannin.
Finish: Sumptuous with a sherried sweetness.

DAVID C STEWART MBE – THE BALVENIE MALT MASTER

„The 1972 refill sherry butt may have lost some of the flavours we expect from sherry casks, dried fruits and spice, but it really shows a unique character of The Balvenie, spicy but less ‘winey’ sweet, more honeyed sweetness. Very few examples like this remain and I love it.“

DCS CHAPTER 2 – THE INFLUENCE OF OAK

1990 European oak Olosoro sherry butt

Aged 25 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filled 6th May 2005

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Fresh, tangy orange peel, notes of barley sugar, vibrant vanilla and a touch of honey.
Taste: Sweet maltiness, fruit salad in vanilla syrup, a touch of citrus and delicate blossom honey.
Finish: Gentle with malty notes and orchard fruits.

DAVID C STEWART MBE – THE BALVENIE MALT MASTER

„The first few months are when an oak cask gives the bulk of its color and a good deal of the influence over the flavor of the liquid. When I feel like the oxygen, wood and time have done their jobs it’s time to move them to another cask.“

DCS CHAPTER 2 – THE INFLUENCE OF OAK

1990 First-fill American oak bourbon barrel

Aged 26 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filled 1st May 1990

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Rich and malty, sweet toffee, vanilla fudge with layers of honeycomb and a delicate spiciness.
Taste: Rich maltiness, honey maple syrup and citrus notes, ending in delicate cinnamon spice and subtle oak vanilla.
Finish: Rich with a creamy sweetness and gentle spices.

DAVID C STEWART MBE – THE BALVENIE MALT MASTER

„Seeing the different effects wood can have is still a great pleasure for me. Distilled just six months apart we can showcase first fill American Oak and European oak with 1990 casks.“

DCS CHAPTER 2 – THE INFLUENCE OF OAK

1997 European oak port puncheon

Aged 19 Years – The Balvenie Single Malt Whisky

Filled 6th August 1997

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Creamy toffee notes of brown sugar, hints of dried fruits and delicate spices of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Taste: Warm and inviting, with prunes, plums and figs. Tropical fruit juice, sweet wood spices and dried fruits.
Finish: Lingering with dried fruits, oak spices and sweet wine.

DAVID C STEWART MBE – THE BALVENIE MALT MASTER

„I remember this port puncheon; it was a cask we used to finish our 21 Year Old PortWood. I decided in 1997 to fill it with a new-make and to be fair I think we forgot about it after that. I noticed it again some years ago and I’m delighted I kept it aside for this.“

DCS CHAPTER 2 – THE INFLUENCE OF OAK

2001 European oak Pedro Ximenez sherry butt

Aged 15 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filled 25th April 2001

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Deep and intensely fruity, peaches and mango, soft vanilla with layers of brown sugar and oak spices.
Taste: Syrupy with a toffee sweetness, a touch of spicy ginger overlaid with gentle oak tannins.
Finish: A fruity sweetness with gentle oak vanilla and spices.

DAVID C STEWART MBE – THE BALVENIE MALT MASTER

„This 2001 cask was a butt that held gorgeous Gonzales Byass Pedro Ximénez over several decades before it came to our cooperage. It is unusual in really showing the sweetness of the Pedro Ximénez and The Balvenie as a near liqueur. It reminds me of the freedom I’ve enjoyed in my role as I filled it without having to decide how it would be used or when.“

THE INFLUENCE OF OAK

DCS Chapter 2 – 2016 Release

VINTAGE	CASK NO.	CASK TYPE	FILLING DATE
1972	13134	European oak Oloroso sherry butt	31 Oct 1972
1990	2790	European oak Oloroso sherry butt	03 Oct 1990
1990	7359	First fill American oak bourbon barrel	01 May 1990
1997	7951	European oak port puncheon	06 Aug 1997
2001	9328	European oak Pedro Ximénez sherry butt	25 Apr 2001