A 2021 release in the Balvenie Stories series, The Second Red Rose harks back to a release from the distillery's history. The Balvenie Rose was finished in a Port pipes, resulting in a hue that was befitting of its name (which itself was an homage to what Margaret Douglas paid King James II as rent for staying in Balvenie Castle – a single red rose). For The Second Red Rose, the 21 year old single malt you see here, Balvenie's malt master David C. Stewart chose to finish the expression in Australian Shiraz casks, imparting a whole host of ripe fruit notes, touches of blackberry and peach, a helping of rich oak, and of course, a rosy hue.
Tasting Note by The Producer
Nose Intense ripe fruits combined with robust earthy tones, reveal the mouth-watering fragrance from fresh mango and subtle oak.
Palate An initial burst of blackberry and ripe peach sweetness, conceal flavours of vibrant oak and cracked black pepper leaving a gentle woody spice.
Finish Lingering oakiness.