The Balvenie Releases Final Ultra-Aged Whisky in Fifty Collection
The Balvenie has just revealed the last part of its Fifty Collection, showcasing a 50-year-old single malt scotch whisky made from three unique casks, each over half a century old. This Speyside distillery, under William Grant & Sons, first launched the collection in 2024 with a whisky distilled in 1973 from a European oak cask, bottled at 52.3% ABV. The next year, malt master Kelsey McKechnie crafted a second edition by blending that with a 1973 American oak hogshead, at 49.8% ABV. The final edition adds a 1974 American oak hogshead, featuring a bottling strength of 50.3% ABV. With tasting notes of buttery pastry and honey, it comes in a beautifully crafted wooden case, and only 45 bottles will be sold for £42,500 (around $56,560) starting this month at Harrods and later at select retailers.
Key facts
- The Balvenie released the third and final edition of its Fifty Collection.
- The whisky is a 50-year-old single malt scotch combining three casks.
- The first edition (2024) used a single European oak refill butt distilled in 1973, bottled at 52.3% ABV.
- The second edition (2025) blended the first cask with an American oak hogshead from 1973, bottled at 49.8% ABV.
- The third edition adds an American oak hogshead from 1974, bottled at 50.3% ABV.
- Malt master Kelsey McKechnie selected the casks.
- Official tasting notes: buttery pastry, confectionery, Manuka honey, ripe soft fruit, subtle oak spice.
- Only 45 bottles are available at £42,500 (about $56,560) each.
- The packaging includes over 100 unique elements and a 14-carat gold-plated brass display.
- On sale at Harrods in London this month, worldwide from August.
Entities
Artists
- Kelsey McKechnie
Institutions
- The Balvenie
- William Grant & Sons
- Harrods
Locations
- Speyside
- London
- United Kingdom