The Balvenie 19 Year Old Week Of Peat

The 19 Year Old Balvenie Week Of Peat is part of The Balvenie Stories collection. It is a limited edition peated Speyside whisky, which is unusual for the distillery, as Balvenie is traditionally known for its sweeter, honeyed character.

The idea to create a peated single malt whisky dates back to 2002, when the distillery set out to explore how peat smoke might influence the character of Balvenie. Rather than permanently switching to peated production, they established the tradition known as the “Week of Peat”, during which a peated spirit is produced. This takes place just before the annual maintenance and cleaning of the stills, preventing any “contamination” of their classic spirit. For this whisky, peat sourced from the Speyside region is used, resulting in a more earthy style of smoke.

The final whisky was created under the supervision of Malt Master’s Apprentice Kelsey McKechnie, who continues the legacy of David C. Stewart. It is bottled after 19 years of maturation in a combination of bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry casks, at 48.3% ABV. The whisky is coloured, but bottled without chill filtration.

The nose reveals a gentle yet noticeable peat smoke intertwined with sweet notes of vanilla, honey, and citrus fruits. The palate is elegant and smooth, with a medium-length finish. Flavours include earthy smoke, sweet honey, creamy vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper, and hints of citrus peel.

According to reviews, the whisky has a rich mouthfeel while retaining a refined, lighter style with a subtle peated touch. It is best enjoyed neat at room temperature to allow the layers of smoke, sweetness, and spice to fully develop. One or two drops of water may reveal additional fruitiness and a warming spicy character. Thanks to its refinement, this Scotch whisky is well suited as a digestif or a premium gift.