The Balvenie has taken a significant step into a new era with the launch of its new single malt whisky collection, The Fifty. The release begins with an exceptionally limited 50 Year Old with two further releases due in 2025 and 2026. Significantly, it is the first major project from its new malt master Kelsey McKechnie.
McKechnie took over the role of malt master David Stewart, who spent 50 years in the role and over 60 at The Balvenie, early in 2024. While McKechnie worked closely with Stewart for several years leading up to her ascension, The Balvenie Fifty Collection represents the first major project of her tenure – and what a way to start.
The series will ultimately contain three expressions with avid collectors likely to need around $150,000 to buy all three. The first edition is a single-cask whisky taken from a European oak refill butt filled in 1973. That same whisky will also form part of the second and third editions, where a combination of American oak casks will be introduced to impart new flavors.
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This first release is limited to just 125 bottles, a chunk of which will be exclusively available at Harrods, London, before a global rollout in early fall. And it was at Harrods – the rooftop restaurant Studio Frantzén to be exact – where Elite Traveler was invited to sample the rarest of pours.
First impressions are important, and The Balvenie Fifty certainly looks the part from its expensive Harrods window display. The crystal decanter sits in a beautifully designed wooden sleeve, hand-crafted by a bespoke craft workshop in Cumbria, England. The sleeve contains over 100 different elements, including layers of wood in the helix structure and a 14-carat gold-plated brass coin. For those thinking of buying for display purposes only, it’s certainly an eye-catcher.
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The Balvenie Fifty, First Edition: Tasting Notes
Let’s begin with a caveat: a small group of journalists sampled The Balvenie 50 as part of a five-whisky flight. This included the best of The Balvenie’s back catalogue, including an inspired 12 Year Old first released in the late 1980s by independent bottlers Signatory. It also included a powerful 57.1% ABV Portwood 21 Year Old. By the time the 50 Year Old came out, our palates had been through a lot.
Still, there were just enough taste buds left to conjure a few scribbled notes on what you get for your £42,500 (approx $54k). It’s 50 years in a refill sherry butt have been well-spent. Bottled at a cask strength of 52.3%, it still contains a youthful punch at cask strength and has plenty of ABV to play with if you’re adding water.
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Color: A shimmering bronze color that fits perfectly with the natural wood display case.
Nose: An alluring mix of dried and candied fruits. A hint of poached pears mixed in with warming toasted nuts. You initially think this is a winter dram, with lots of heavy notes, but it’s more vibrant and lighter than you’d expect for such an old whisky.
Palate: Fifty years in sherry oak is a delicate balance, but this is identifiably a Speyside dram. There are more candied fruits with notes of honey and vanilla. There are still some floral notes sitting in the background. A tingling spice of candied ginger as well as some more citrusy fruits. Remarkably fresh, but with all the power of a five-decade sherried dram to boot.
Finish: The whisky’s age comes to the fore with cedarwood spice, a warming dryness. Slightly tannic, but delicate enough to keep the hint of candied fruits going all the way to the line.
Score: 9.3/10
– 10 A unicorn: Spend whatever it takes
– 8.5–9.5 Top shelf: Impress your fellow whisky geeks
– 7–8: Great: Buy two bottles – one to drink, one to keep
– 5.5–6.5: Very good: Keep it on the shelf – a good daily drinker
– 5: Not bad: There’s better out there for the same money
– Below 5 – Disappointing
The Balvenie Fifty First Edition will be available exclusively in Harrods, London, until September 12, 2024, priced at £42,500 (approx $54k). Enquire online here or call +44 20 7893 8777
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