Balvenie – 16 Year Old French Oak (70cl, 47.6%)

This is a 16 year old Balvenie single malt, bottled at 47.6% vol. in a 70cl bottle. It is the first Balvenie finish to use French oak. The whisky is finished in casks that previously held Pineau des Charentes, a wine made from unfermented grape must with cognac eau de vie added. The underlying sweet honey note of the distillery character is joined by flavours from the second maturation. The nose is floral, with lotus and geranium blossom alongside fresh meadow grass and apple peel. On the palate there is lemon zest and grapefruit, with glazed fruit sweetness and a bite of ginger root. The finish is refreshing and crisp.