Launched in May 2019, The Balvenie Stories collection is inspired by tales of “endeavour, craft and unexpected twists”. It comprises a trio of single malts: 12-year-old The Sweet Toast of American Oak, 14-year-old The Week of Peat, and 26-year-old A Day of Dark Barley.
The new 19-year-old, The Edge of Burnhead, tells the story of how Balvenie craftsmen experimented with the distillery’s natural resources to find the perfect match between fresh heather and barley.
The 48.7% ABV expression is made with ingredients found on the distillery’s grounds, including homegrown barley malted at the site’s maltings, water from the Convel hills, and fresh heather from Burnhead Wood.
As a result, the whisky is described as having a “balanced honeyed sweetness and spicy outburst with hints of cloves and caramelised baked dates” which develops to reveal an “underlying oaky dryness” followed by a lingering oaky finish with notes of fragrant dried blossom.
Balvenie malt master David Stewart MBE said: “Stories are the lifeblood of the Balvenie Distillery and are deeply embedded in all the work that we do.
“The story behind The Edge of Burnhead Wood captures the majestic Speyside landscape and the inventive essence of The Balvenie’s loyal and determined craftspeople.
“In this way, The Edge of Burnhead Wood sums up the spirit of the work carried out at the Balvenie Distillery; The Balvenie remains true to the techniques and stories passed down by its craftsmen from generation to generation, while also looking forward by exploring new techniques, flavours and marriages to develop unique and original Balvenie expressions.”
The tale is depicted on the whisky’s packaging with an illustration from British artist Andy Lovell.
The story behind the single malt can also be heard through a podcast series, featuring Stewart and global brand ambassador Gemma Paterson. It is available at burnheadwood.com and on Spotify.
The Edge of Burnhead Wood 19 Years Old is available globally from select whisky retailers, priced at $326.
In October 2019, William Grant & Sons unveiled a trio of travel retail-exclusive Balvenie single malt whiskies as part of its Stories range.
