Balvenie 16 Years French Oak 70cl 47.6%

The Balvenie French Oak is a vibrant single malt finished in casks previously held wine from the French Charentes vineyards. Pineau des Charentes It is a fortified wine, made from unfermented grape juice, to which a Cognac eau-de-vie is added and then matured. Pineau is also found as a home-made product in the neighbouring Deux-Sèvres and Vendée départements. US Brand Ambassador Lorne Cousin suggested Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE explore these casks after a trip to the region with his family where he fondly recalled sipping an aperitif. This is the first of The Balvenie finishes to explore French Oak. Pineau is akin to cognac in terms of production and flavour.

Matured for 16 years in traditional American oak whisky barrels to develop distinct notes of warm honey and vanilla, before a finishing period in Pineau des Charentes French Oak casks bringing velvety sweetness, with notes of energizing grapefruit, geranium, glazed fruit and ginger.