The Balvenie French Oak is a vibrant single malt finished in casks previously held wine from the French Charentes vineyards.
Pineau des Charentes 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.
The Balvenie USA brand ambassador Lorne Cousin suggested Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE explore these casks after a trip to the region with his family where he fondly remembers sipping an aperitif.
This is the first of The Balvenie finishes exploring French Oak. Pineau is akin to cognac in terms of production and flavour, allowing us to capitalise on the rise of this flavour profile and its premium credentials.