Happy Valentines from me and Balvenie

Posted on February 14, 2008
Filed Under For the collector, Speyside, WhiskyBuzz |

The Balvenie Rose 16 year old Single Malt Whisky

Today is the day of giving. And I do wish I could give you all a bottle of Balvenie’s latest elixir, but that would ruin me. Instead I’ll give you the news about it.

If you wish to return the gift…just keep spreading the blog. I’m doing this for fun, but more readers give me more energy and more energy gives you more news.

The whisky, The Balvenie Rose, was inspired by the romantic history of the now ruined Balvenie Castle in whose shadow the Distillery lies, the annual rent of which was fixed at a single red rose in 1460.

In the 15th Century the Castle was owned by the Fair Maid of Galloway, Margaret Douglas, but following the rebellion of the infamous Black Douglasses against the King, all of the family’s titles and estates were forfeit to the Crown. The King, however, was so taken with Margaret’s beauty, that he reinstated her at Balvenie Castle for the unusual annual rent of a single red rose.

The Balvenie Rose is a 16 year old single malt Scotch whisky that spends its final stage of maturation in casks from Portugal used in Port production, giving the whisky a delicate rose hue. The Balvenie Malt Master, David Stewart describes the whisky as having a distinctly floral aroma with hints of rose petals; and a sweet and rich taste bringing an abundance of fruit; raisins, sultanas, apricots and a little citrus all overlaid with gentle spice and delicate oak notes.

Rob MacPherson, of The Balvenie Distillery said: “This wonderfully romantic story of Margaret Douglas and the single rose inspired us to create The Balvenie Rose Single Malt. We’re so pleased with the result that we decided to also name a red rose in honour of this historic tale.”

Just 426 bottles of Balvenie Rose have been produced. The whisky is for sale exclusively at The Balvenie Distillery Shop in Speyside and retails at £100 a bottle.

The Balvenie Rose plant can be purchased from specialist growers and costs £5.95 barefoot, or £9.95 potted plus P&P.