The Balvenie 21 Year PortWood Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml

The Balvenie 21 Year PortWood is one of the most influential and historically important cask finished single malts in the modern Scotch category, first released in 1996 by Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE as one of the original pioneers of the wood finishing technique that now defines so much of premium Scotch whisky. From The Balvenie Distillery in Dufftown, Banffshire, Speyside, established in 1892 by William Grant and remaining one of the most traditional working distilleries in Scotland (one of the very few still maintaining its own floor maltings and onsite cooperage), this expression takes rare reserves of Balvenie that have spent over two decades in traditional whisky oak casks and transfers them into rare 30 year old port pipes for a final months long finishing period. David Stewart, the world's longest serving Malt Master with more than six decades at Balvenie, personally samples the casks throughout the finishing window to ensure that just the right amount of port character is imparted before bottling. Bottled at 43% ABV for the US market (the global market version is 40%, and a non chill filtered duty free version exists at 47.6%), the finished whisky is a benchmark for refined, balanced port finishing in Scotch and widely regarded as one of David Stewart's signature lifetime achievements. Awarded 94 points by Wine Enthusiast.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Light amber to copper penny gold from the port pipe finish.

Nose: Deep and rich, with red grapes, honey, layers of toasted oak, slight nuttiness, leafy notes, a hint of clove, mango, orange peel, ripe raisin, white peach, sultana, macadamia, balsamic, and cola cubes.

Palate: Refined and remarkably creamy, with prunes, oak, citrus, red berries, oranges, baked apples, oaky vanilla, hints of wine notes, fruit, honey, gentle spice, cranberries, cooked raspberries, white grape juice, and barley. Silky textured with a chewy concentrated vanilla and oak core leading to walnut, leather, and espresso.

Finish: Long, gentle, and nutty, with stewed fruits, fresh mint, nutmeg, milk chocolate, almond, sherry, spice, and a slow elegant fade.

FAQ

Who is David Stewart? David C. Stewart MBE is The Balvenie's Malt Master and the world's longest serving Malt Master, having joined William Grant and Sons in 1962 and worked there for over six decades. He is widely credited as the inventor of the wood finishing technique in single malt scotch, beginning with The Balvenie DoubleWood in 1993 and continuing with the PortWood 21 Year in 1996. Many in the industry consider the PortWood 21 to be among his proudest personal achievements, and it has won an array of industry awards since its launch.

What are port pipes? Port pipes are large oak casks (typically 500 to 650 liters, much larger than standard whisky barrels) that previously held Portuguese port wine. The Balvenie sources rare 30 year old port pipes, where decades of port maturation have deeply seasoned the wood. The larger pipe size means slower spirit to wood interaction, while the residual port character imparts dried fruit, red berry, and gentle wine tannin layers into the already mature Balvenie spirit.

How does this differ from the duty free version? The US retail version (this bottle) is 43% ABV. The global market version is 40% ABV. The duty free version, sold at international airport shops, is bottled at a higher 47.6% ABV and is non chill filtered, offering a more concentrated expression of the same liquid. All three share the same base whisky and port pipe finish.

What makes The Balvenie distillery unique? The Balvenie is one of the very few Scotch distilleries still operating its own traditional floor maltings (malting its own barley on site) and maintaining its own onsite cooperage where coopers prepare, repair, and inspect the casks used throughout production. This vertical integration is rare in modern scotch and allows precise selection of the port pipes used for the PortWood 21 finish. Visit our Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year for David Stewart's original wood finishing creation.

Where can I buy The Balvenie 21 Year PortWood online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.