Spirits · Dufftown, Speyside
The Balvenie
Speyside single malt where barley, malt, casks, and stills are tended on site.
- Founded
- 1892
- Founded by
- William Grant
- Based in
- Dufftown, Speyside
Making it since
1892
Their story
The Balvenie began with William Grant, a Dufftown man who had already built Glenfiddich next door. He bought land beside the ruins of Balvenie Castle, converted an old mansion house into a distillery, and ran the first spirit in May 1893.
The distillery is still owned by William Grant & Sons, the family company he founded. Longtime malt master David Stewart, who joined in 1962, helped pioneer the practice of finishing whisky in a second type of cask. Kelsey McKechnie now holds the malt master role.
How it's made
Balvenie is one of the few Scotch distilleries that still runs its own malting floor, turning locally grown barley where possible. Coppersmiths care for the stills and coopers maintain the casks on site. Many releases age in ex-bourbon barrels and then finish in sherry, port, or rum casks.
Why we carry them
Balvenie is our go-to suggestion for someone stepping into single malt. The honeyed house style is easy to like and rewards closer attention.
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