The Balvenie has been making Whisky the same way it has been since 1892, staying true to the Five Rare Crafts of whisky making. While each expression is unique, they are all rich, luxuriously smooth, and underpinned by a distinctive honeyed character.
“The Balvenie has consistently offered true passion and dedication in every Whisky we have been making for 130 years. We take great pride in tradition and craftsmanship in every aspect of the entire whisky-making process. This makes us the only distillery in Scotland still using our homegrown barley and operating a working floor maltings traditionally,” said Kurniawan K. Wawan, On Trade Specialist of William Grant & Sons.
In an increasingly automated world, The Balvenie stays true to its whisky-making process, following the same time-honored traditions since 1893. The Balvenie is the only distillery in Scotland that grows its barley, operates a traditional malting floor, and has a coppersmith and a team of coopers on site. Finally, Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, the world’s longest-serving Malt Master, brings his six decades of experience to nose each Whisky before it is released.
The Balvenie partners with many different individuals along the Whisky making process to bring its whiskies to life. These individuals know that making exceptional Whisky requires time, patience, dedication, passion, and curiosity. It is a process that combines expertise, skill, and ambition which gives The Balvenie its unique character.
The Balvenie launched a campaign, The Makers Project, a collaboration with local artists from Southeast Asia that celebrates ultimate craftsmanship and the exploration of modern creativity. The partnership showcases how the makers pour their hearts into what they do to unpack the uniquely human elements that elevate the great to the exceptional. This year, The Balvenie collaborated with Diela Maharanie, creating an artwork entitled “Cendrawasih” and limited edition gift sets. The collaboration is also part of The Balvenie’s efforts to raise the profile of Indonesia’s growing and varied spirits industry.
Based on the UN Comtrade data, the import value of alcoholic beverages increased four times in three years. It achieved its highest value of USD 40.44 million in 2018, an increase since 2015, which only reached USD 10.09 million. Although it had declined due to the pandemic, the Association of Alcoholic Beverage Importers in Indonesia predicts it will rebound again in 2023 due to easing mobilization and business activities.
In 2022, The Balvenie introduced the Cask Finishes Collection, which explores rich flavors from distinctive notes of vanilla and honey. First pioneered by Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE in The Balvenie Classic product, all expressions of this collection are also handcrafted with the Cask Finishing technique. This technique involves taking mature liquid in one cask for a longer time and transferring it to another cask for a shorter time to add a different layer of flavor sensation. The collection of this variant consists of the Double Wood 12-Year-Old Caribbean Cask, 14-Year-Old, French Oak 16-Year-Old, and Portwood 21-Year-Old.
The various finishes of the collection have become the catalyst for The Balvenie’s achievement. The Balvenie has maintained its expertise and poured its heart into every great work produced so that it can last across generations. Founded in Speyside, Scotland, by William Grant in 1892 and still run by the William Grant family, The Balvenie is the most widely handcrafted Single Malt Scotch Whisky company.
“Dedication, craftsmanship, and a lot of heart in every bottle of Whisky is what sets us apart from other brands. Because it takes skill to make something great, but it takes a passionate heart to make something extraordinary, and we call it: The Ultimate Craftsmanship,” conclude Kurniawan K. Wawan.
