The Balvenie Distillery

The Balvenie is one of the most craft-oriented distilleries in Scotland. It is one of a very few that still grows its own barley, maintains traditional floor maltings, and employs a full-time coppersmith and team of coopers on site. The result is a hands-on approach to whisky-making that is rare in the modern industry. The distillery sits adjacent to Glenfiddich on the Balvenie Castle estate in Dufftown.

History

William Grant built The Balvenie in 1892, just five years after founding Glenfiddich next door, using stones from the nearby ruins of 13th-century Balvenie Castle. The distillery remained relatively obscure until the 1990s when Malt Master David Stewart MBE pioneered the DoubleWood finish, which became one of the most influential expressions in Scotch whisky.

The whisky

Honeyed and rich with notes of vanilla, toffee and gentle oak spice.

Signature expressions

• DoubleWood 12
• Caribbean Cask 14
• PortWood 21
• Single Barrel 25

Visiting The Balvenie

Visitor tours are limited and tend to sell out well in advance. Experiences focus on The Balvenie's craft credentials – floor maltings, cooperage and warehouse tastings. The DCS Compendium and Tun releases are among the most coveted in the whisky world.

Highlights

• Own floor maltings – one of very few in Scotland
• Full-time cooperage and coppersmith on site
• DoubleWood 12 – pioneered the wood-finishing revolution
• Adjacent to Glenfiddich on the Balvenie Castle estate

Private whisky tours including The Balvenie

We can include The Balvenie in a private whisky tour with a dedicated driver-guide and luxury Mercedes vehicle. Pick-up from your hotel, airport or cruise port.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit The Balvenie Distillery?

Visitor tours are limited and tend to sell out well in advance. Experiences focus on The Balvenie's craft credentials – floor maltings, cooperage and warehouse tastings. The DCS Compendium and Tun releases are among the most coveted in the whisky world.

What whisky does The Balvenie make?

The Balvenie is a Speyside single malt known for: DoubleWood 12, Caribbean Cask 14, PortWood 21, Single Barrel 25. Honeyed and rich with notes of vanilla, toffee and gentle oak spice.

How do I get to The Balvenie Distillery?

The Balvenie Distillery is in Dufftown, Speyside. We offer private whisky tours that include The Balvenie with door-to-door transport from Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen in a luxury Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide.