The Balvenie French Oak 16 Year Old is a Speyside single malt matured in traditional American oak casks and finished in casks previously used to mature Pineau des Charentes, a French fortified wine made from grape juice and Cognac. This unique finishing process introduces elegant notes of floral sweetness, soft spice, and fresh orchard fruit, offering a delicate yet richly complex twist on Balvenie’s signature honeyed style.
Crafted by Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, this expression reflects both Scottish tradition and French influence in perfect harmony.
Tasting Notes:
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Nose: Elegant floral notes, candied orange peel, fresh herbs, and honeycomb
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Palate: Silky and bright with flavors of vanilla, pink grapefruit, toasted oak, white grape, and light spice
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Finish: Long and refreshing with gentle sweetness, citrus zest, and a touch of dry white wine tannin
Vital Stats:
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Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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Region: Speyside, Scotland
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Age: 16 Years
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Cask Finish: Pineau des Charentes French Oak Casks
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ABV: 47.6%
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Bottle Size: 750mL
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Distillery: The Balvenie, Dufftown, Scotland
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Master Blender: David C. Stewart MBE
FAQ:
Q: What is Pineau des Charentes and why use its casks?
A: It's a French fortified wine made by blending grape must with Cognac. These casks add refined fruit, floral, and wine-like notes to the whisky.
Q: Is this expression sweet?
A: It’s elegantly fruity and lightly sweet, but remains balanced with oak, citrus, and spice.
Q: How does this compare to The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask?
A: While both feature finishing in wine-influenced barrels, the French Oak is brighter, more floral, and less sweet, with more white fruit and herbal tones.
Q: Is this a limited release?
A: It’s part of Balvenie’s core range of cask-finished whiskies, but may be limited in availability based on demand.
Ideal For:
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Fans of Elegant, Fruit-Forward Single Malts
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Cask-Finish Whisky Explorers
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Gifting to Discerning Scotch Drinkers
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Pairing with Cheese, Fruit, or Light Desserts
