The Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak Scotch Whisky Finished in Pineau Casks

The Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak Scotch Whisky Finished in Pineau Casks is a 47.6% ABV (95.2 proof) single malt Scotch whisky in a 750mL bottle, matured 16 years in traditional American oak casks at The Balvenie distillery in Dufftown, Speyside, then finished in French oak casks that previously held Pineau des Charentes — bottled non-chill filtered at natural color, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 47.6% (95.2 proof) — non-chill filtered, natural color
• Size: 750mL (US release)
• Age: 16 years in American oak, then finished in Pineau des Charentes casks
• Distillery: The Balvenie, Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland (William Grant & Sons)
• Cask story: first time Balvenie used Pineau casks — believed to be the first Scottish distillery to do so; part of the Cask Finishes range, built on Malt Master David C. Stewart's cask-finishing technique from 1983
• Awards: Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition; Gold, International Wine & Spirit Competition

Sixteen Years, Then Pineau des Charentes

Pineau des Charentes is a fortified French aperitif made by blending Cognac eau-de-vie with unfermented grape juice — and its casks are a first for Scotch. Balvenie matured this whisky 16 years in traditional American oak to build its honeyed vanilla core, then finished it in French oak that held Pineau, layering citrus zest, florals, and glazed fruit over the classic Balvenie depth. The brand's own notes: lotus and geranium florals, fresh meadow grass, and peeled apple skin on the nose; tangy lemon rind and grapefruit with glazed fruits and root-ginger spice on the palate. Explore Scotch whisky, all whisky, or the Balvenie range.

Tasting Notes

Brand-issued (from the launch release): beautifully balanced light floral notes of lotus and geranium, fresh meadow grass, peeled apple skin on the nose; an energizing zing of tangy lemon rind and grapefruit meets delicate sweetness of glazed fruits and spice from root ginger; a refreshingly concise finish.

How to Enjoy

Neat in a Glencairn at full 47.6% to catch the Pineau-cask florals; a teaspoon of water softens the citrus zing and opens the honeyed core. Too distinctive for cocktails — this one deserves the glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Pineau casks?
French oak casks that held Pineau des Charentes — a fortified aperitif from France's Charente region made by blending Cognac eau-de-vie with unfermented grape juice.

Is Balvenie 16 French Oak chill-filtered?
No — it's bottled at 47.6% ABV, non-chill filtered, of natural color.

How does the Pineau finish change the whisky?
The 16 years in American oak build Balvenie's honeyed vanilla core; the Pineau finish adds citrus zest (grapefruit, lemon rind), geranium florals, glazed fruit and ginger.

Is this part of Balvenie's Cask Finishes range?
Yes — the Cask Finishes range (alongside the 14 Year Caribbean Cask, 15 Year Madeira Cask and 21 Year PortWood), created using David C. Stewart's cask-finishing technique from 1983.

The first Pineau-finished Scotch of its kind — order Balvenie 16 French Oak online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.