The Balvenie 25 Year Old Rare Marriages Scotch Whisky

The Balvenie 25 Year Old Rare Marriages Scotch Whisky is a 96-proof (48% ABV), 750mL single malt from Dufftown, Speyside — the first release of Balvenie's prestige series celebrating six decades of Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE. Stewart individually selects rare 25-year-old casks — American oak ex-bourbon barrels alongside European oak sherry casks — and "marries" them in a traditional blending tun. Distillery bottling, with no colouring or chill filtration. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 48% (96 proof)
• Size: 750mL (US format)
• Age: 25 years — annual vintaged limited release (first released summer 2021)
• Casks: American oak ex-bourbon barrels + European oak sherry casks, married in a blending tun
• Distillery: The Balvenie, Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland (est. 1889)
• Craft: Floor maltings and on-site cooperage; no colouring, no chill filtration

Six Decades of Craftsmanship in One Marrying Tun

David C. Stewart MBE is the longest-serving Malt Master in whisky history, and Rare Marriages is his showcase: hand-picked 25-year-old casks from across the warehouse, chosen for character rather than uniformity, then married in a traditional tun so the bourbon-cask vanilla and the sherry-cask dried fruit find each other. The Balvenie still floor-malts and runs its own cooperage — rarities in modern Scotch whisky — and this release is the flagship argument for doing everything the slow way.

Tasting Notes

Expect the classic Balvenie depth at quarter-century age: honeyed oak, dark chocolate, dried fruits and warm spice from the sherry casks, rounded by the ex-bourbon vanilla and a long, polished finish. Bottled at 48% without chill filtration for full texture.

How to Enjoy

Neat in a tulip glass, with water added a few drops at a time if you like — this is a contemplative pour. Keep it for milestones; the limited annual release means each vintage is genuinely scarce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the "Rare Marriages"?
Individually selected 25-year-old American oak ex-bourbon and European oak sherry casks, married together in a traditional blending tun by Malt Master David C. Stewart.

Is The Balvenie 25 Year Old Rare Marriages chill filtered?
No — it is bottled at 48% ABV with no colouring and no chill filtration.

Where is The Balvenie made?
Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland, where William Grant founded the distillery in 1889.

Where can I buy The Balvenie 25 Year Old Rare Marriages online?
You can order it online from The Balvenie listings at Del Mesa Liquor — this 750mL bottle is available for purchase and ships from San Diego, CA.

Explore the full The Balvenie collection, or compare long-aged malts in our Scotch whisky lineup.

A quarter century of Scotch, married by the master himself — secure your bottle at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.