The Balvenie, one of the world’s most handcrafted whiskies, is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Master Blender and Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, the longest serving Malt Master in industry history. To commemorate his journey, The Balvenie Sixty, a single cask bottling filled in 1962, marks the distillery’s oldest and rarest whisky ever offered.
A true industry icon, Stewart is credited with pioneering cask finishing techniques now ubiquitous in the world of Scotch whisky. A technique where whisky spends years maturing in one cask and is then moved into another cask, usually one that has held a fortified wine or another spirit, for a final few months of maturation – or finishing. This adds a layer of unique flavor that cannot be achieved in whisky by any other means.
As a Malt Master, David oversees the creation of all whiskies for The Balvenie and uses his thoroughly trained nose to maintain the consistency of the whiskies produced by the distillery. David also oversees the new Malt Masters from William Grant & Sons, having worked closely with Glenfiddich’s Malt Master Brian Kinsman and now The Balvenie’s Apprentice Malt Master, Kelsey McKechnie. His dedication and passion are woven into the very essence of The Balvenie Sixty. Only 71 bottles of this exceptional whisky has been released worldwide, each a testament to Stewart’s remarkable six-decade tenure.
“The Balvenie holds a special place in my heart, and I am proud to have spent the better half of my life working at the distillery,” Stewart reflects. “This release is a profound moment for both The Balvenie and myself. In 1962, as a young whisky stocks clerk, I witnessed the filling of this cask. Now, six decades later, it reaches fruition, a culmination of time, tradition, and shared passion. I feel honoured to have been given the reigns to create and experiment over the past 60 years, and I enjoy passing my knowledge and stories onto Kelsey to continue building the legacy that makes The Balvenie what it is.”
The Balvenie Sixty was hand-selected by Kelsey McKechnie, the distillery’s apprentice malt master and Stewart’s protégé for the past six years. “David’s mentorship has been invaluable,” says McKechnie. “Selecting a cask to honor such a legacy is an immense privilege. David is an incredibly knowledgeable and patient man, and a living whisky legend.” She describes the whisky as boasting “autumnal aromas” and a palate rich with toffee, coffee, and oak, culminating in a finish accented by clove and orange peel.
The exceptional presentation of The Balvenie Sixty reflects Stewart’s extraordinary journey. The hand-blown crystal bottle rests within a unique five-layer tube, each layer etched with personal anecdotes from individuals who have shaped Stewart’s career. The final layer features a quote from McKechnie, symbolizing the future generations who will carry forward The Balvenie’s legacy.
The Balvenie distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to five time-honored whisky-making crafts. In a departure from industry standard, The Balvenie cultivates its own barley, meticulously controlling quality from the seed to the still. They are also stewards of one of Scotland’s last remaining floor maltings, where skilled malt men turn the barley by hand, ensuring a nuanced development of flavors. The distinctive profile of The Balvenie owes much to the unique shape of their copper stills, which influence the character of the spirit during distillation. Furthermore, they possess their own cooperage, where seasoned coppersmiths meticulously handcraft and maintain the casks that impart complexity to the maturing whisky. Finally, a revered Malt Master presides over the entire process, ensuring that each bottle of The Balvenie embodies the distillery’s signature character.
This limited-edition release offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of whisky history, with one single bottle available in Thailand. For more information on The Balvenie Sixty, and other rare crafts, please contact The Distillers Library Bangkok at +66 96 995 6599.
