Inspired to produce an even fruitier, sweeter Balvenie, Apprentice Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie had the bright idea to import Virgin Oak barrels from Kentucky. After deep toasting them at The Balvenie Cooperage they were filled with Balvenie aged in ex-bourbon barrels. The result is a delectably complex whisky with notes of candied fruit, coconut and delicate vanilla. Comprising three single malts, The Balvenie Stories range includes a 12 year old The Sweet Toast of American Oak, 14 year old The Week of Peat and 26 year old A Day of Dark Barley. Each expression has been designed to tell the stories of the workers at the distillery, including apprentice malt master Kelsey McKechnie’s use of Kentucky virgin oak to create a fruitier Balvenie whisky; former distillery manager Ian Millar introducing peat smoke to this well-known Speyside malt and malt master David Stewart MBE use of an “unusually brittle” barley.