THE BALVENIE DCS CHAPTER

DCS CHAPTER 5 – THE MALT MASTER’S INDULGENCE

This chapter is a selection of casks that represent David Stewart’s career and his great skill in recognising casks that are destined for greatness.

“I work for a family company and I’m allowed just to hold on to whisky, not always knowing what I’m going to do with it but not forced to bottle it at a saleable age, we just let it mature on.”

The casks reflect the many milestone years throughout David’s career – from the year he started at William Grant and Son’s to the year of the launch of the now iconic Balvenie Classic.

One of the unusual casks in this chapter is a Fino Sherry Butt – David Stewart explains “it has produced a very different taste sensation from what’s normally expected” – exactly the kind of cask that David feels lucky to be able to keep and nurture until it reveals its special secrets.

DCS CHAPTER 5 – THE MALT MASTER’S INDULGENCE

1962 European oak Olorosso sherry hogshead

Aged 56 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filling date: 29th June 1962
Yield: 90 Bottles
Strength: 42.1% ALC./VOL.

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Fragrant fruity and honeyed, ending on a delicate spiciness.
Taste: Rich, velvety with toffee, honeycomb, vanilla, orange peel and ginger.
Finish: Sweet, citrussy and gentle spices.

DCS CHAPTER 5 – THE MALT MASTER’S INDULGENCE

1974 Refill American Oak Barrel

Aged 44 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filling date: 9th December 1974
Yield: 85 Bottles
Strength: 51.3% ALC./VOL.

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Luscious malty motes, honeyed orange peel, vanilla, maple syrup and gentle oak spices.
Taste: Citrus, runny honey and a cinnamon spiciness.
Finish: Syrupy with tangy citrus and creamy vanilla.

DCS CHAPTER 5 – THE MALT MASTER’S INDULGENCE

1983 Refil American Hogshead

Aged 35 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filling date: 27th September 1983
Yield: 145 Bottles
Strength: 42.0% ALC./VOL.

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Malty, brown sugar, vanilla and butterscotch.
Taste: Candied orange, lemon peel, heather honey and ground ginger.
Finish: Lush and creamy with warming spices.

DCS CHAPTER 5 – THE MALT MASTER’S INDULGENCE

2001 European Oak Fino Sherry Butt

Aged 17 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filling date: 25th April 2001
Yield: 400 Bottles
Strength: 63.5% ALC./VOL.

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Gorgeous orchard fruits, stewed plums and dried apricots.
Taste: Orange, salted caramel, grapefruit, spiced apple and a toffee sweetness.
Finish: Orchard fruits and a creamy maltiness.

DCS CHAPTER 5 – THE MALT MASTER’S INDULGENCE

2002 First-fill American oak bourbon barrel

Aged 16 Years – Single Malt Whisky

Filling date: 18th September 2002
Yield: 160 Bottles
Strength: 53.9% ALC./VOL.

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Sweet peat balances lemon zestiness with oak vanilla, honey and gentle ginger spiciness.
Taste: Wisps of smoke, chewy toffee, honey and ginger.
Finish: Delicate peat and a malty citrus sweetness.

THE MALT MASTER’S INDULGENCE

DCS Chapter 5 – 2019 Release

VINTAGE	CASK NO.	CASK TYPE	FILLING DATE
1962	5575	European oak Oloroso sherry hogshead	29 Jun 1962
1974	17706	Refill American oak barrel	09 Dec 1974
1983	4483	Refill American oak hogshead	27 Sep 1983
2001	9325	European oak Fino sherry butt	25 Apr 2001
2002	12147	First fill American oak bourbon barrel	18 Sep 2002