The Balvenie – 14 Years Old The Week of Peat (Stories Series) (70cl, 48.3%)

This is a 14 year old Speyside single malt from The Balvenie, part of its Stories series, bottled at 48.3% ABV in a 70cl bottle. The distillery stands in Dufftown and is the only one in the Highlands still floor malting its own barley. The peated malt comes from an idea of manager Ian Millar, inspired by his travels on Islay. He ordered Speyside peat to dry the malt, and for one week each year the distillery now distils a peated batch. The nose is gentle peat smoke, light floral notes and butterscotch honey. The palate balances velvety peat smoke with citrus, oak vanilla and flower nectar. The finish has soft smoke and a long, creamy vanilla.