Balvenie 13 Year Old DCS Compendium Chapter 3 Three 2004-2017 Limited Edition 70cl
Created to celebrate the life’s work of malt master David Charles Stewart, the Compendium is split into five ‘Chapters’, each of which features five single cask whiskies from five different decades.
A different chapter will be released annually between 2015 and 2019, each of them reflecting a different chapter in the accompanying book, written by Balvenie global brand ambassador Dr Sam Simmons.
The theme of Chapter Three is 'Secrets of the Stock Model'. Chapters Four & Five will focus respectively on: 'Expecting the Unexpected' and 'Malt Master's Indulgence'. Created using five casks which will exemplify David's skill in managing a complex stock system: a science, an art and a craft.
This chapter aims to exemplify David’s skill in managing stock. Yes, the classic image of a Master Blender or Malt Master is in a warehouse, soft lighting, nose in glass, but the reality of the role is examining tables and ledgers and managing a complex stock system: a science, an art, and, indeed, a craft.
“Assembling this chapter really brought me back to some moments in my career” said David C Stewart. And he did dive deep into our stocks to select some landmark gems, many of which he has clearly kept his eye on for decades. David includes one of the oldest casks in our warehouses for this chapter.
“I have revisited this 1961 several times recently and it is very representative of whisky we distilled in those years, big and sweet with floral notes coming into play, very unusual and almost magical.”
The next few choices highlight landmark years in the stock model. For instance, the 1973 cask could easily have been used for Port Wood when it was launched but luckily was from one of our “plentiful years”. It has matured into a stunning whisky.
The 1981 is the first vintage we would have used for Double Wood when it launched in 1993. So it felt right to include a cask from this year on the list of Chapter 3. The bottling of 1993 should remind that at this time the old bottle design has given way to the current appearance.
“That’s when things started to get really tricky”, said David C Stewart.
“The 2004 is a perfect representation of THE BALVENIE at this age, but this vintage also marks my 30th year as Malt Master.” Interestingly, it was also the year that David introduced The Balvenie Thirty. As we discussed this cask he painted a very poignant
picture for me.
AGED 13 YEARS – SINGLE MALT WHISKY
Filled 19th January 2004
Tasting Notes
Nose : Rich and deep with orange peel. Light oak.
Palate : Supple, with dark fruits and sherry notes, overall subtle and spicy.
Finish : Luxurious, sweetish finish with delicate spice and oak.
About Balvenie
Balvenie distillery shares the same (massive) site with Glenfiddich and Kininvie but makes its whisky in a very different manner to its two sisters.
Its floor maltings have been retained and although this only makes up a small percentage (up to 15%) of the total mash, it is believed that it helps contribute character to the new make – the small amount of peat which is burned might help. Given that Balvenie has only opened to visitors in recent times, it certainly wasn’t kept for cosmetic or touristic reasons.
It’s a large distillery with nine, fat, short-necked stills producing a new make character which is notably sweet and honeyed – completely different to both Glenfiddich and Kininvie. Interestingly, when William Grant built its Ailsa Bay malt distillery in Girvan, the still shape replicated that of Balvenie, but the new make is different again.
This was one of the first distilleries to introduce a ‘finished’ single malt with the launch in 1993 of Double Wood, which was first aged in ex-Bourbon casks before being given a short period of secondary maturation (aka finishing) in ex-Sherry.
This utilisation of different wood types runs through the Balvenie range with a new 17-year-old Double Wood recently joining Caribbean Cask (ex-rum) 14 year old, and the 21-year-old Port Wood as part of the core range. As well as single barrel releases and older age variants up to 50 years in the range, a cult small batch, Tun 1401, has also recently appeared, followed by Tun 1509.
Balvenie was built on a 12 acre site adjacent to Glenfiddich in 1892/3. Originally known as Glen Gordon it took the name of the huge (ruined) castle which was located next door. The ‘new’ castle, already derelict in 1893, was turned into maltings.
The distillery provided fillings, primarily for the Grant’s Standfast blend, until 1973 when the first official bottling was made. Its continued requirements as a contributor to blends initially restricted its growth as a stand-alone brand (although increasing its cult status). This was eased slightly with the opening of Kininvie in 1990, but it was only with the building of Ailsa Bay that greater stocks were finally made available. It is now one of the fastest-growing single malt brands in the world.
58.2% ABV
70cl
