The Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak is a Speyside single malt from The Balvenie's Cask Finishes range, matured in American oak casks before being finished in French oak casks that previously held Pineau des Charentes, the fortified wine of the Charentes vineyards in Cognac country. It is bottled at 47.6% ABV.
The Balvenie is famous for cask finishing, a technique it helped pioneer, and French Oak w. Pineau des Charentes is made by blending grape must with young cognac, and the casks that held it bring a bright, fruity and floral character to The Balvenie's honeyed house style.
Beautifully balanced light floral notes of lotus and geranium dance between hints of fresh meadow grass and peeled apple skin on the nose. The palate brings tangy lemon rind, grapefruit and ginger with glazed fruit, vanilla, honey and candied fruit, and the finish is refreshingly concise. VinePair awarded it 94 points.
The bottle comes in The Balvenie's elegant white tube decorated with floral illustration, making it a lovely gift.
Serve it neat to appreciate its floral, fruit-led elegance.
Tasting Notes
-
Nose: Lotus and geranium, fresh meadow grass and peeled apple skin.
-
Palate: Lemon rind, grapefruit, ginger, vanilla, honey and candied fruit.
-
Finish: Refreshingly concise.
Specifications
-
Producer: The Balvenie
-
Style: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
-
Expression / Batch: French Oak, Cask Finishes range
-
Age: 16 years
-
Proof / ABV: 95.2 proof (47.6% ABV)
-
Cask / Finish: American oak, finished in French oak Pineau des Charentes casks
-
Region: Speyside, Scotland
-
Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat, or with a drop of water to open the citrus. It pairs with fruit tarts, apple desserts or soft cheeses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pineau des Charentes?
A fortified wine from the Cognac region, made by blending grape must with young cognac.
How is Balvenie French Oak matured?
In American oak, then finished in French oak casks that held Pineau des Charentes.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at 47.6% ABV.
Explore more in our Scotch collection.
