With a team committed to ultimate craftsmanship, they pour their soul and obsession into every bottle. This demonstrates that, whilst it takes skill to make something great, it takes true heart to make it extraordinary. And of course, Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie presides over the all-important maturation process. 
 
Founded in 1892 by William Grant, The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller and today run by his direct descendants. Each expression has a very individual taste, rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie. 
 
 The Balvenie launches four new limited edition single cask expressions in its evolving Stories Range: A Collection of Curious Casks. 

Each expression brings to life the environment of The Balvenie’s warehouses which lie at the heart of the release, while celebrating the power of close friendship and collaboration between Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie and Warehouse and Samples Coordinator George Paterson.

It celebrates their working relationship and keen instincts for selecting casks with rare potential; weird and wonderful outliers that the world would not usually encounter. The story tells of George’s incredible knowledge of The Balvenie warehouses and showcases some of the duo's favourite casks.

The single casks, hand-selected by Kelsey also take inspiration from the warehouse tastings run by George, which he uses as an opportunity to showcase the distillery’s ‘hidden gems’, featuring rare whiskies and unusual casks with unexpected character–which A Collection of Curious Casks brings to light.

The collection includes a 14-Year-Old American Bourbon Barrel and an 18-Year-Old French Pineau Cask available within the UK along with a global travel retail exclusive 11-Year-Old Hungarian Red Wine Cask and a 17-Year-Old New Spanish Oak Cask exclusively available to purchase at The Balvenie Distillery.  Launched on 1st July 2024, A Collection of Curious Casks exemplifies the Balvenie distillery’s constant innovation and commitment to producing the most exceptional Single Malt Scotch whisky.

These four expressions join other Stories bottlings, including the 12-Year-Old The Sweet Toast of American Oak, the 14-Year-Old Week of Peat and the 19-Year-Old A Revelation of Cask and Character.

Kelsey McKechnie, Malt Master at The Balvenie, said: “This collection exemplifies the rare and limited Balvenie casks making their debut. Collaborating daily with talented craftspeople like George, who dedicates his time and expertise to our casks, is a privilege. I'm thrilled to share this opportunity with him, showcasing his knowledge of our warehouses.”  
 
George Paterson, Warehouse and Samples Coordinator at The Balvenie added: “I have one of the best jobs in the world, working in our warehouses, monitoring special casks. Identifying hidden gems and bringing them to light is a true highlight, and it is from these moments shared throughout history and relentless curiosity at The Balvenie that conversations come to life and brilliant ideas are born.” 

Nose: Velvety sweetness, rich toffee and smouldering oak reveal crisp citrus aromas and ever flowing honey musk.
Taste: Candied orange peel is grounded in woody, earthy flavours from beautifully roasted malt and deep vanilla oakiness.
Finish: Long and lingering.

Nose: Warming amber tones from toasted oak and delicate spice are immersed by smooth butterscotch and hints of ripe berries.
Taste: Intriguing layers of spice and rich sweetness layer on creamy vanilla and honey before revealing gentle oaky tannins.  
Finish: Long and lingering.