Origin: Scotland, Speyside Type: Single Malt Scotch

ABV: 45.4% AGE: 50.0 Years

"The first bottling of Balvenie Fifty (a mere 88 bottles, originally priced at £20,000) was drawn from a European oak ex-sherry hogshead – an unusual cask, since most European oak is raised into butts. At the time David remarked: “Cask 5576 and I have shared the last five decades together at The Balvenie Distillery and as single malt making is as much art and alchemy as precise science, the interaction between wood and maturing whisky means each cask will produce something entirely unique… it’great delight to discover how, after half a century this unique cask has turned out a truly special single malt.” Although now partly retired, David has gone on to investigate more of the distillery’s rare old casks and has chosen two which have produced remarkably different whiskies. He says of them: “Although beginning the same way and being distilled on the same day, cask number 4567, has a deep reddish hue and a beautifully full taste characterised by dark fruits and spice – typical of maturation in a European oak cask."

Colour:	Deep reddish hue
Official Nose:	"Rich and deep, initial oakiness is followed by sweeter aromas of raisins and sultanas and a subtle ginger spiciness. CINNAMON DRIED FRUIT HONEY CHRISTMAS PUDDING SPICY RICH"
Official Taste:	Lush with rich dark fruits, including cherries and blackberries and a spicy outburst of ground ginger, cinnamon and allspice. Oak tannin and a delicious sweetness develop.
Official Finish:	Rich and spicy with dried fruits and a lingering sweetness.