Balvenie Distillery, situated on the same expansive site as Glenfiddich and Kininvie, produces whisky in a notably different manner. One of its unique features is the retention of traditional floor maltings, which, while only contributing up to 15% of the total mash, is believed to impart a distinct character to the new make, potentially influenced by the small amount of peat used. This traditional method isn’t for cosmetic or tourist reasons, but to ensure the whisky’s authenticity and character.
Balvenie is a large distillery with nine short-necked stills, producing a sweet and honeyed new make character, which sets it apart from both Glenfiddich and Kininvie. The distillery’s approach to maturation is also innovative. In 1993, Balvenie launched its now-famous “Double Wood” expression, which undergoes a dual maturation process: first in ex-Bourbon casks, then finished in ex-Sherry casks. This was one of the first ‘finished’ single malts on the market, and the practice has since become a hallmark of the brand, with other expressions such as the 14-year-old Caribbean Cask (finished in rum casks) and the 21-year-old Port Wood joining the core range. Balvenie also offers a range of single barrel releases, aged variants, and small batch editions, such as the cult favorites Tun 1401 and Tun 1509.
Founded in 1892/93 on a 12-acre site next to Glenfiddich, Balvenie was originally known as Glen Gordon, named after the nearby ruined castle. The distillery initially supplied whisky for blends, primarily for Grant’s Standfast blend, and did not release its own official bottling until 1973. Its role in blending slowed the growth of Balvenie as a standalone brand, though it gained cult status over time. With the opening of Kininvie in 1990 and the building of Ailsa Bay, greater stock was made available, and Balvenie has since become one of the fastest-growing single malt brands worldwide.
