We gathered high above Harrods on the leafy terrace of Studio Frantzén, as London sweltered under the last breath of summer. There was a sense of ceremony in the air. Not the stiff kind, but something softer, rarer, more enveloping – the kind that only surfaces when whisky people gather together to honour time itself. This exclusive event marked not only the launch of an extraordinary whisky, but also a tribute to five decades of unparalleled craftsmanship at The Balvenie distillery.
The First Edition of this limited trilogy is a single cask expression, drawn from cask number 8720: a European oak refill butt filled back in 1973. This cask was carefully selected by Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie, who noted
“Using a refill butt for the First Edition in this collection provides us with a distinctive flavour thread that will run through our next two releases.”
Before us was uncovered a line-up of whiskies, curated not for spectacle but rather for nuance. Among them, of course, the centrepiece—The Balvenie Fifty First Edition. But it was not rushed. We tasted through the range patiently, each pour laying the groundwork for the main event.
When the First Edition finally met the glass, it did so quietly. No fanfare, no superlatives—just a moment of stillness as everyone took that first sip. What followed was not a rush of tasting notes, but a kind of contemplative silence. It was as if we were all doing the same arithmetic of memory and mouthfeel. The whisky presents a symphony of aromas and flavors; on the nose, it offers deep fruits, cassis, and candied apricots, layered with delicate cedar and a warming nutty spice. The palate reveals caramelised fruits, rich spice, and soft vanilla, all culminating in a delicate ginger spice and citrus zing.
Seated next to me was Charles MacLean, whose knowledge of Scotch is encyclopedic and whose stories are, if anything, even more intoxicating. Over cigars and conversation, the evening slipped into something rich and rhythmical. He found cedar on the nose, caramelised orchard fruit on the palate, and a lingering finish that reminded him of autumn sunlight on old wood.
The case – a testament to The Balvenie’s commitment to craftsmanship – was developed by Croglin, a bespoke craft workshop based in Cumbria. Each presentation comprises over 100 elements, including a helix structure of four layers of wood and a 14-carat gold-plated brass display.
The launch was further commemorated with a captivating display across seven windows on Hans Crescent. This exhibition not only showcased the whisky but also celebrated the artistry and dedication that have defined The Balvenie over the past 50 years.
What The Balvenie Fifty represents isn’t simply age, it’s continuity. It’s the slow, almost imperceptible handover between generations. From David Stewart, who first oversaw the filling of cask 8720 in 1973 to Kelsey McKechnie, now guiding the same spirit into its fifth decade of life. As such, this release is less a finale and more a bridge.
That continuity reveals itself not just in the whisky’s structure, but in the philosophy behind it. The trilogy to come, Edition Two and Three, won’t be about topping what came before, but will doubtlessly enrich it. A second cask married in next year, a third the year after. It’s a narrative told in layers, much like the whisky itself.
There is no shortcut to something like this. No marketing trick or packaging flourish, though even there, the Croglin-designed helix of layered wood and hand-finished brass speaks to a standard few dare to chase. What matters most is that the spirit has been stewarded, not simply stored. Cared for by people who know that greatness in whisky is rarely loud. It’s quiet. Slow. And when done right, utterly unforgettable.
As the final glasses emptied on the terrace and the hum of conversation slipped into the background, there was a shared sense that we’d not just attended a launch, we’d been written into a chapter. A chapter that began fifty years ago, and will still be maturing long after the last bottle is gone.
Priced at £42,500, The Balvenie Fifty First Edition is available exclusively at Harrods, with a global release to select retailers. The Second and Third Editions are anticipated to follow in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
