The Balvenie Live! Two distillery tours are coming your way live on FaceBook (Whisky included)
Part One – The Distillery Tour
Monday 9th August
Time: 6pm
Where: live on the Australian Bartender Magazine Facebook page
Part Two – The Story of Cask Finishing
Monday 16th August
Time: 6pm
Where: live on the Australian Bartender Magazine Facebook page
I’m fed up waiting to get back to The Balvenie Distillery. I miss the random stories from the great characters there, the strolls around each production area, the blue skies (sometimes), watching the ducks in their Jacuzzi style pond (honestly they have a Jacuzzi) and so many other magical little details of Speyside. SO I wanted to take you all on the next best thing we have at the moment.
I’ve organised for all of us to walk around the distillery in real time, live and virtually with some of my favourite people. This is an interactive style of virtual tour, we will literally be joining the distillery team to wander around live. Hearing the stories of our team both there and around Scotland as we stroll from the duck pond to the cooperage in the middle of Scottish summer…which could mean anything for the weather really. This will be a 2 part series (for now) where we will meet the malt masters, ambassadors, head coopers and more.
Obviously we couldn’t have you join us at the distillery without a few drams to sip as we stroll. So we have organised almost 1,000 Balvenie tasting packs dispersed around the country for you to pick up from a bar near you. You will receive a 50ml miniature of The Balvenie 12 DoubleWood, the Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask and The Balvenie 17 DoubleWood. To find your closest pick up point head to the list below.
Whether you’re stuck at home or as we all are, stuck in Australia, let’s take some time to sit back and enjoy a dram while we transport ourselves to The Balvenie. Throw in some questions, meet the people, join in with the rest of the Australian bartender family and most importantly share a laugh and a smile. I can’t wait to share a few with you next week.
See you soon.
Slàinte!
Part One – The Distillery Tour
A walk around the whole distillery with chats around production, history and general terrible jokes and hilarity from the whole team.
Your Tour Guides: Ross Blainey- The Balvenie Ambassador, Charlie Metcalf and James Roberts – Distillery Ambassadors, Kesley McKechnie – Apprentice Malt Master, Gemma Paterson – Global Balvenie Ambassador
When: Monday August 9th 6pm
Where: Link to be shared on Bartender Mag Facebook page
Part Two – The Story of Cask Finishing
As we walk through the cooperage with head cooper of over 50 years, Ian Macdonald, we will chat all things oak influence. From there we will jump down to Glasgow and chat with Malt Master David Stewart MBE (who celebrates 60 years with The Balvenie next month!), Kelsey McKechnie apprentice Malt Master and Anna Austin our cask buyer across William Grant and Sons. This will be the full story of cask finishing.
Your Tour Guides: Ross Blainey- The Balvenie Ambassador, Charlie Metcalf – Distillery Ambassador, David Stewart MBE – Malt Master, Kesley McKechnie – Apprentice Malt Master, Gemma Paterson – Global Balvenie Ambassador, Anna Austin – Cask buyer
Tasting Packs
Pick up points will be in each major city on Sunday 8th and Monday 9th until the packs run out. Announced through Ross Blainey Instagram @thewhiskyspecialist and right here as we will be updating this story over the weekend.