The Balvenie Thirty Aged 30 Years

Distillery Background and History

Established in 1892 in Dufftown, Speyside by William Grant, Balvenie remains one of the few distilleries preserving every traditional craft on-site—including estate barley, floor‑malting, cooperage, and coppersmithing. Still family-owned under William Grant & Sons, Balvenie is celebrated for combining heritage and innovation, particularly in ultra-aged expressions like The Thirty. It won “Best Speyside Single Malt” for this whisky at the World Whiskies Awards  .

Master Distiller and Production Philosophy

Originally overseen by David C. Stewart MBE (honorary ambassador), the current team continues his spirit of meticulous cask selection and blending. The Thirty is a marriage of decades‑old American and European oak casks to build deep complexity, following Balvenie’s long‑standing philosophy of marrying precision with maturation artistry  .

Source of Ingredients (Grain, Water, Yeast)

Made entirely from malted barley—partly estate-grown, supplemented by regional suppliers—distilled using Speyside’s pure spring water and traditional yeast strains. This builds the distillery’s signature honeyed, floral profile  .

Distillation Process

Produced in copper pot stills (five wash and six spirit stills) via traditional batch distillation. The spirit is unpeated and designed for smooth, refined balance—typical of Balvenie’s Speyside style  .

Maturation & Cask Information

Each component whisky in this release is aged at least 30 years in a combination of ex-bourbon American oak and European oak (Oloroso sherry) casks. Selected by the Malt Master and married for harmony, this complex cask marriage deepens layered aromas and flavors  .

Tasting Notes

Nose: Honeydew melon, strawberries, leather, musty old books, candied orange peel, cocoa powder, and heather honey 

Palate: Rich fruitcake sweetness featuring plum, date, marzipan, dark chocolate, mocha, and toasted sourdough 

Finish: Exceptionally long and smooth with dry spice, nutmeg, chocolate, lingering toffee, oak warmth, and refined balance  .

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with dark chocolate desserts, fruit-and-nut pastries, berry tarts, aged cheeses like Comté or Manchego, and tobacco-infused desserts.

Serving Suggestions and Ideal Glassware

Serve neat in a Glencairn or tulip glass at 15‑18 °C. A few drops of water may open aroma layers. Avoid ice to preserve texture and flavor progression.

Storage and Aging Potential

Store upright in a cool, dark place. As a 30-year-old mature whisky, additional aging in bottle offers minimal evolution beyond slow oxidation. Best enjoyed within a few years of opening.

Grain Type & Mash Bill (if applicable)

Single malt Scotch whisky—100% malted barley, matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

47.3%