Balvenie 19 Year Old A Revelation Of Cask And Character

A rich Speyside single malt exclusively matured in European Oak sherry casks, celebrating the distillery's coopers' craft.

At-a-Glance

Historical Context

The Balvenie Distillery is renowned for its dedication to the Five Rare Crafts, notably maintaining its own cooperage and malting floor on site, enabling unparalleled quality control over its spirit and wood.¹ The Stories collection is an ongoing series launched to communicate the human stories and craftsmanship behind the distillery's unique expressions.

The 19 Year Old, 'A Revelation Of Cask And Character', is the ninth release in the Stories collection and is unique because it is the first whisky in the series to be matured solely in European Oak ex-sherry casks. This specific cask strategy, focusing entirely on sherry wood, was a tribute to the distillery's coopers, such as Head Cooper Ian McDonald, and their relationship with Spanish bodegas. Furthermore, this was the first solo project overseen by new Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie, following the retirement of the legendary David C. Stewart MBE, marking a significant transition in the distillery's creative leadership. The 19-year age statement is uncommon in the Balvenie core range, signifying a specific, lengthy maturation intended to capture a profound sherry character.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

The technical purity of this expression is defined by its maturation: exclusively in European Oloroso Sherry Casks. This commitment to Oloroso is intended to maximise the delivery of classic Christmas cake, dried fruit, and spice notes. The whisky is bottled at an optimal presentation strength of 47.5% ABV. This elevated strength (well above the 40% minimum) helps preserve the natural texture and robust flavour compounds extracted over its 19 years of maturation.

 Documented variants

Packaging & authenticity checklist

The bottle is housed in the signature Balvenie tube, featuring bespoke artwork by Andy Lovell. Authentication requires verifying the age statement (19 Years Old) and the specific designation ('A Revelation of Cask and Character') and ABV (47.5%). The condition of the presentation tube is a strong contributor to secondary market value. The fact that the whisky has a 'deep amber, almost ruby' colour, despite the lack of an explicit Natural Colour statement, suggests the rich influence of the sherry casks.

Regulatory/terminology notes

The term 'single malt' is guaranteed. The higher bottling strength of 47.5% ABV, combined with the Balvenie's premium positioning, strongly implies that the whisky is Non-Chill-Filtered. The exclusive use of sherry casks distinguishes this technical profile from other Balvenie releases, such as the famous DoubleWood, which utilises both bourbon and sherry casks.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The profile is rich and layered, designed to evoke the essence of an intensely sherried Christmas pudding or fruitcake, characteristic of long European oak maturation.

Nose: Rich aromas of ripe fruit, strong orange peel, toasted oak, and ground barley. Spiced blackcurrant chutney, seedless raisins, manuka honey, and ginger snaps are also prominent.

Palate: Elegant and vibrant with deep dried fruit notes (redcurrants, cherries, raisins, and chewy fig). This sweetness is balanced by marzipan, black tea, white pepper, and winter spice.

Finish: Long, creamy, and distinctively nutty. The finale features aromatic spice, honeyed fruit, and cocoa.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

Original RRP (GBP): £258.95 – £308.95. Retailers show pricing in this range, reflecting its high-age, high-ABV premium core placement.

FX note: FX: 1 USD = 0.786 GBP on 15 Oct 2024 (Approx. conversion for US data).

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £258.95 – £309.00.

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): Auction data is limited, but pricing tracks closely with the retail RRP. The primary value lies in the item's established retail prestige and age, rather than immediate secondary market speculation.

Pricing stratification: This bottling maintains a strong price point due to the age statement and the specific technical profile (100% sherry cask). The consistent high retail valuation reflects the steady collector and consumer demand for mature Balvenie.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is high, supported by the brand’s global reputation. Sourcing at the lowest UK retail price provides the best immediate value.

Price Snapshot