New Balvenie Whisky Is Intended Exclusively For the German Market

Saturday, 23 August 2025 at 08:03

The Balvenie Stories A Collection of Curious Casks MOntilla Wine Seasoned 12 Year Old whisky (1)

The Balvenie once again dives into the world of barrel experiments with a new discovery within the A Collection of Curious Casks whisky series. This time, it's a single malt whisky that combines tradition and curiosity, and highlights sweet Andalusian wine influences.

FAQ

What is the new whisky in The Balvenie Stories series?
It is a 12-year-old single malt that has matured in European oak barrels previously filled with sweet wine from Montilla, a town in Andalusia known for its rich dessert wines.

Is this part of a larger set?
Yes. A Collection of Curious Casks consists of various experiments by Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie. In addition to this Montilla variant, a Refill Port Cask (Travel Retail) and a 20-year-old Peated Sherry Cask (limited release internationally) will be released this year.

Who is behind these creations?
Kelsey McKechnie, the young Malt Master of The Balvenie. With her blend of scientific precision and playful drive for discovery, she continually searches for barrels in Warehouse 24 that can tell an unexpected story.

The Balvenie Heads to Andalusia

The Balvenie is known for its classic honey and vanilla profile, but now gives the character of the Scottish single malt whisky a new dimension. Thanks to the influence of the dessert wine from Montilla, the whisky has a subtle fruitiness and sweet layering.

This influences the single malt without the whisky losing its backbone. Kelsey McKechnie, malt master of The Balvenie, emphasizes that 'tradition and innovation must go hand in hand'. This is, indeed, what she strongly brings forward in this whisky.

‘In the creation of "A Collection of Curious Casks", it was crucial to give our whiskies the time they deserve. The time needed to optimally blend the spirit and oak – a delicate balance between science, art, and a kind of magic that almost teases.’

- Kelsey McKechnie

A tribute to people AND stories

The whiskies in the Collection of Curious Casks series are not just a tribute to the craftsmen of The Balvenie, but also to the stories passed down through generations.

The bottle and tube depict these stories visually through the illustrations of artist Andy Lovell. Lovell does this with expressive images of Warehouse 24 and the people, like McKechnie, who shape the whisky on a daily basis.

What are the tasting notes of The Balvenie A Collection of Curious Casks: Montilla Wine Seasoned Cask 12 Year Old?

Tasting notes

Nose: Fresh and delicate aromas, with light barley sugar, honey, and subtly toasted oak.
Palate: At first, candy sweet tones, followed by full vanilla oak and dried apricots, rounded off with warm spices.
Finish: Refreshingly sweet, with an elegant balance between wood and fruit.

The whisky is bottled at 47.3 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

Exclusive release

The new whisky from The Balvenie is an exclusive release for Germany. It will be on the shelves from October with a recommended retail price of 74,99 euros.

Two more releases on the way

This bottle is not the only one coming out this year. Two more whiskies in the series will be released. Later this year, the 20-year-old Peated Sherry Cask edition and the 13-year-old Refill Port Cask will be released. The latter whisky is exclusively for Travel Retail stores.