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The Balvenie announces The Balvenie Sixty in recognition of the master's six decades at the distillery
Introducing The Balvenie Sixty, a single cask bottling from 1962, the distillery’s oldest and rarest whisky it has ever released for sale. Worthy of any serious collector’s cellar, this remarkable bottling was also released in conjunction with industry icon and respected Malt Master David C. Stewart’s celebration of six decades at The Balvenie’s distillery.
Read more: Whisky business: A guide to whisky collecting with Andrew Tan
An indelible figure in the distillery’s long-running history, Stewart committed himself to a lifetime of craftsmanship with the distillery, where he grew from being a whisky stocks clerk to the Malt Master, renowned worldwide. With this milestone, Stewart is officially the longest serving Malt Master at any distiller in the industry’s history.
Above David C. Stewart
David C. Stewart
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As a Malt Master, Stewart is at the forefront of all whisky production under The Balvenie, putting his expert olfactory knowledge to maintain the high standards and consistency of the distillery’s products. Stewart has been present for The Balvenie Sixty’s making since day one, making this bottle especially significant for the Malt Master.
“I started at the distillery in 1962 as a whisky stocks clerk for this liquid. A new make spirit was filled into a collection of traditional European Oak Hogshead casks,” recalls Stewart. “For six decades, it has rested and matured, marking quite a poignant moment for me on my journey.”
Above The Balvenie's Sixty is a representation of Stewart's illustrious career with the distillery
The Balvenie's Sixty is a representation of Stewart's illustrious career with the distillery
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With 60 years of experience in his pocket, Stewart’s knowledge and experience with The Balvenie is second to none, and his award-winning whiskies are a testament to his model craftsmanship. Not only has he produced such highly acclaimed bottles, but he has also developed new whisky making techniques that have been adopted across the industry to critical acclaim.
See also: The Balvenie’s new malt master, Kelsey McKechnie, on continuing the brand’s legacy
Adding to its value and sentiment, The Balvenie Sixty’s cask was selected by one of Stewart’s mentees, Kelsey McKehnie, who Stewart has mentored for the last four years. “I have learned so much from David at work. His mentorship has made a profound impact on me and finding a cask to fit such an incredible character in the distillery’s history is a great honour,” says McKechnie of her time with Stewart thus far.
Above The Balvenie Sixty
Above The Balvenie Sixty in its layered tub casing
The Balvenie Sixty
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Much like Stewart’s dedication to the distillery, The Balvenie is committed to the highest level of whisky artistry, from casking to bottling. Apart from the exquisite whisky, The Balvenie goes beyond the bottle to ensure each detail is overseen with care and intention. Its packaging is made from glass, gold, and brass, which highlights the prestige of the encased bottle of The Balvenie Sixty.
The bottle’s layered tube casing is representative of memories throughout Stewart’s career. There are five layers to the casing, representing a decade each, that are etched with personal accounts and anecdotes courtesy of influential individuals that Stewart has encountered along his journey. The sixth decade of his career is represented by the bottle itself, made from hand-blown crystal. On the bottle, McKechnie's quote represents the current decade of Stewart’s career and the future generations of The Balvenie.
As a whole, this bottle stands as a befitting tribute to Stewart's profound impact on The Balvenie and the whisky industry at large. It embodies the essence of his significance, capturing the spirit of innovation and artistry that define the distillery's enduring legacy.
Credits
Images: The Balvenie
Amanda is a KL-born and raised third culture kid, who lives to eat. If not found reading, writing for Tatler Dining, or snacking, she is most likely playing with her dog, Katsu, sourcing new Birkenstocks, or looking for a new restaurant to venture to.
Follow her on Instagram at @feedingamanda.
