US$33,099.30 The latest release of The Balvenie 50 is the pinnacle of the rich tradition of hand-crafted whisky from The Balvenie.Two European oak hogshead casks have been selected by The Balvenie Malt Master, David Stewart. Both casks were filled on the same day in May 1963 and left to rest in Warehouse 24 at The Balvenie distillery for over fifty years. The casks have been bottled separately to create a magnificent pair of single cask expressions, offering connoisseurs the chance to explore the uniquely complex characteristics imparted by each cask.In keeping with the traditions of The Balvenie, the bottles are presented in stunning wooden cases comprising 49 layers of wood and a single brass layer, handcrafted by furniture designer, Sam Chinnery.Cask 4567 produced 131 bottles in total, and the liquid has a beautiful deep reddish hue and aromas typical of a European oak maturation. The cylindrical presentation cases for the bottles from this cask are made from darker woods, reflecting the darker colour of the whisky.Deep amber, with thick viscosity. A heady aroma of dried fruits macerated in liquor (dates, figs, sultanas, raisins) on a base of oiled sandalwood; traces of orange peel and pot pourri after a while. Deep caramel in the development. Perfumed hand-soap in the taste, which is dry overall, tangy, with allspice and pepper across the tongue. Most unusual.Charles Maclean on the two bottlings of Balvenie 50 years Old:The first bottling of Balvenie Fifty (a mere 88 bottles, originally priced at £20,000) was drawn from a European oak ex-sherry hogshead – an unusual cask, since most European oak is raised into butts. At the time David remarked: “Cask 5576 and I have shared the last five decades together at The Balvenie Distillery and as single malt making is as much art and alchemy as precise science,...