The Balvenie French Oak Pineau Cask 16 Year Old is a distinguished Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Sixteen years in American Oak casks delivers vanilla spice and warm honey, whilst French Oak Pineau cask finishing brings energising grapefruit, geranium, glazed fruit, and ginger.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Rich amber gold with brilliant copper highlights and excellent clarity, displaying the maturity and dual cask influence of this exceptional 16-year-old single malt with medium viscosity.
Aroma
The nose opens with an abundance of vanilla spice and warm honey from sixteen years of American Oak maturation. The French Oak Pineau cask finish adds energising notes of grapefruit and geranium, complemented by glazed fruit and warming ginger, creating a complex and inviting aromatic profile that balances sweetness with citrus brightness.
Palate
Medium to full-bodied with remarkable complexity and elegance. The palate delivers rich vanilla spice and warm honey notes from the American Oak, beautifully interwoven with the distinctive character imparted by the Pineau cask finish. Energising grapefruit and floral geranium notes add brightness, whilst glazed fruit and warming ginger provide depth and complexity. The finish is long and satisfying, showcasing The Balvenie's masterful cask management and this unique dual maturation approach.
Pairs With
This distinguished single malt pairs beautifully with dark chocolate truffles or orange-infused desserts, aged Stilton or Comté cheese, glazed duck breast, sticky ginger pudding, and candied citrus peel, making it perfect for special occasions and contemplative sipping.
The Balvenie French Oak whisky is a vibrant single malt finished in casks that previously held wine from the French Charentes vineyards.
The Balvenie USA brand ambassador Lorne Cousin suggested David C. Stewart MBE explore these casks after a trip to the region with his family, where he fondly remembers sipping an aperitif.
What resulted was Pineau des Charentes which is a fortified wine made from unfermented grape juice, to which a Cognac eau-de-vie is added and then matured. Pineau is also found as a home-made product in the neighbouring Deau-Sevres and Vendee departments.
