In a celebration of traditional whisky-making techniques, The Balvenie distillery has introduced its latest offering, The Balvenie 30 Year Old. This release was recently unveiled in Kuala Lumpur, showcased the distillery’s commitment to what they term the “Five Rare Crafts” – home-grown barley, on-site cooperage, malting floor, copper stills, and the expertise of their Malt Master.
David C. Stewart MBE, The Balvenie’s Malt Master with over 60 years of experience, has personally selected the casks for this expression. The whisky is a result of a three-decade maturation process, utilizing both American and European oak casks. According to the distillery, this extended aging period has produced a whisky with notes of sweetness, dark chocolate, and subtle spices.
The release of The Balvenie 30 Year Old coincides with the company’s global initiative, The Balvenie Maker’s Project. This program aims to highlight the work of artisans across various creative fields, emphasizing the role of human touch in craftsmanship. Jyri Pylkkänen, the Regional Malts Brand Ambassador for Southeast Asia, stated that the project seeks to inspire a new generation of artisans to embrace both tradition and innovation.
“At The Balvenie, we believe that the maker is just as important as the product. Our Makers Project honours this philosophy by celebrating the uniquely human elements that transform something great into something truly exceptional. Together with The Balvenie Thirty, we continue our mission to inspire a new generation of artisans to embrace tradition, innovation, and the art of handcraft.”
Jyri Pylkkänen, the Regional Malts Brand Ambassador for Southeast Asia
As part of this initiative, The Balvenie has collaborated with Edward Tan, a designer known for his work with international brands. Tan has created a copper sculpture featuring a 30-layer design, intended to reflect the time and dedication involved in both whisky-making and artistic expression. The sculpture, titled “Convergence,” was unveiled at a dinner event hosted by Pylkkänen and curated by Chef Steve of Sabayon, EQ Kuala Lumpur.
“Every masterpiece starts with a single idea. An idea that evolves, shifts, and takes shape, much like the journey of crafting a fine single malt whisky. For The Balvenie, I wanted to capture their legacy of craftsmanship—a process that requires time, patience, and passion. My piece honours their iconic copper stills, which I incorporated into the design using copper as the primary material. The 30 layers of the sculpture represent the depth and complexity of The Balvenie Thirty—a nod to the artistry that goes into every cask.”
Edward Tan
The artwork was auctioned for RM38,000, with proceeds donated to THE ROJAK PROJEK, a social enterprise focused on promoting unity, culture, and diversity. The event also featured a tasting of The Balvenie 30 Year Old, along with pairings of other expressions from the distillery’s range with specially prepared dishes.
The Balvenie 30 Year Old is described as having a silky sweetness that develops into notes of rich honey, oak tones, and candied orange peel. The distillery states that the nose offers honeyed and oaky aromas, while the palate presents flavours of dark chocolate, plum, marzipan, and caramelized pear. The finish is said to be smooth with gentle spice and lingering sweetness.
For more info, head over to https://www.thebalvenie.com/our-whisky-collection/rare-marriages/
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Photos courtesy of The Balvenie
Published by Tim Chew
