Scotland’s The Balvenie has unveiled The 1931 Collection, led by an ultra, ultra-aged 88 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. That age statement is by far the oldest whisky ever released by the brand.
This malt was distilled in 1931 and matured for 88 years in a European oak sherry butt sourced from Jerez, the liquid laid silently in the distillery’s warehouse for a remarkable eighty-eight years, tended to by generations of The Balvenie’s craftspeople under the watchful eye of a lineage of great Malt Masters. In 2019, the whisky was recognized at its peak and bottled by The Balvenie’s current Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie. A mere 17 bottles exist.
As there are so few bottles and these will be available to private clients and collectors only, The Balvenie also has a pair of concurrent and much more accessible new whiskies coming out: a 12 Year Old, made from 100% Home Malted Barley, which will be available in select markets, and a global retail exclusive 15 Year Old, also made from 100% Home Grown and Home Malted Barley. Theese will be priced at $100 and $200 respectively.
