The Balvenie has unveiled the first in what promises to be a unique curated premium whisky trilogy, crafted by resident Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie. Priced at £42,500 per bottle, the Fifty Collection epitomises half a century of craftsmanship at the renowned Speyside distillery.
The launch is being supported by a dramatic display at Harrods, across seven windows on Hans Crescent, which runs until August 27. Only 125 bottles are to be released from each of the three editions over the next three years.
The prestige expression is said to embody The Balvenie’s signature sweet honey whisky style, even following fifty years of maturation.
Only 125 bottles are to be released from each of the three editions over the next three years…
A celebration of 50 years of whisky craftsmanship
Enhancing the prestige of the project, the collection features elaborate packaging developed by Croglin, a bespoke craft workshop based in Cumbria. Each presentation includes over 100 different elements, such as four layers of wood in a helix structure with a tolerance for error of less than 1/10th of a millimetre, coupled to a 14-carat gold-plated brass display.
“The Balvenie Fifty Collection is a celebration of our legacy, passion, and unwavering commitment to producing some of the finest whiskies in the world,” says McKechnie, Malt Master at The Balvenie. “Each edition showcases the unique characteristics of rare casks, coming together to create a truly exceptional experience.”
The First Edition is a single cask expression (cask number 8720) aged in a European oak refill butt. Filled in 1973 by former Malt Master David Stewart, this cask was hand-selected by McKechnie, who emphasised the importance of its distinctive flavour profile. “Using a refill butt for the First Edition provides a flavour thread that will run through our next two releases, demonstrating the spectrum of flavours and aromas in our aged spirit.”
The Balvenie Fifty First Edition tasting notes
With an ABV of 52.3%, the First Edition whisky is said to offer aromas of deep fruits, cassis, and candied apricots, on the nose, layered with delicate cedar and a warming nutty spice. On the palette we’re told to expect flavours of caramelised fruits, rich spice, and soft vanilla, married to ginger spice and citrus zing.
For the Second Edition, Kelsey will introduce a second American oak hogshead cask filled in 1973, to marry with the first, before adding a third American oak barrel filled in 1974 cask to the marriage, for the final Edition Three. Such meticulous cask selection and the marrying process is testament to the distillery’s expertise in crafting complex and unique flavours.
“The craftsmanship that has defined our liquid over the past 50 years is exemplified in each edition,” said McKechnie. “This collection sets a new benchmark for our contribution to the rare and extraordinary whisky market.”
The First Edition of the The Balvenie Fifty Collection is available internationally from 12 September, and nationwide at select retailers from 27 September. Whisky lovers can look forward to the release of the Second and Third Editions of The Balvenie Fifty Collection in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
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The Balvenie has unveiled the first in what promises to be a unique curated premium whisky trilogy, crafted by resident Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie. Priced at £42,500 per bottle, the Fifty Collection epitomises half a century of craftsmanship at the renowned Speyside distillery.
The launch is being supported by a dramatic display at Harrods, across seven windows on Hans Crescent, which runs until August 27. Only 125 bottles are to be released from each of the three editions over the next three years.
The prestige expression is said to embody The Balvenie’s signature sweet honey whisky style, even following fifty years of maturation.
A celebration of 50 years of whisky craftsmanship
Enhancing the prestige of the project, the collection features elaborate packaging developed by Croglin, a bespoke craft workshop based in Cumbria. Each presentation includes over 100 different elements, such as four layers of wood in a helix structure with a tolerance for error of less than 1/10th of a millimetre, coupled to a 14-carat gold-plated brass display.
“The Balvenie Fifty Collection is a celebration of our legacy, passion, and unwavering commitment to producing some of the finest whiskies in the world,” says McKechnie, Malt Master at The Balvenie. “Each edition showcases the unique characteristics of rare casks, coming together to create a truly exceptional experience.”
The First Edition is a single cask expression (cask number 8720) aged in a European oak refill butt. Filled in 1973 by former Malt Master David Stewart, this cask was hand-selected by McKechnie, who emphasised the importance of its distinctive flavour profile. “Using a refill butt for the First Edition provides a flavour thread that will run through our next two releases, demonstrating the spectrum of flavours and aromas in our aged spirit.”
The Balvenie Fifty First Edition tasting notes
With an ABV of 52.3%, the First Edition whisky is said to offer aromas of deep fruits, cassis, and candied apricots, on the nose, layered with delicate cedar and a warming nutty spice. On the palette we’re told to expect flavours of caramelised fruits, rich spice, and soft vanilla, married to ginger spice and citrus zing.
For the Second Edition, Kelsey will introduce a second American oak hogshead cask filled in 1973, to marry with the first, before adding a third American oak barrel filled in 1974 cask to the marriage, for the final Edition Three. Such meticulous cask selection and the marrying process is testament to the distillery’s expertise in crafting complex and unique flavours.
“The craftsmanship that has defined our liquid over the past 50 years is exemplified in each edition,” said McKechnie. “This collection sets a new benchmark for our contribution to the rare and extraordinary whisky market.”
The First Edition of the The Balvenie Fifty Collection is available internationally from 12 September, and nationwide at select retailers from 27 September. Whisky lovers can look forward to the release of the Second and Third Editions of The Balvenie Fifty Collection in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
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