As Canada’s cooler months approach, the connoisseurs of craft at The Balvenie invite whisky enthusiasts to savour their single malts in a new way through refined and luxurious tea pairings, steeped in tradition. Celebrating a rich heritage of craftsmanship, these combinations of exceptional whisky and carefully selected teas offer a unique way to relish in sweater season.
“Much like fine whiskies, some teas are also aged to develop greater depth and character. The ritual of brewing, nosing, and sipping of tea beautifully mirrors the experience of enjoying a well-crafted single malt scotch,” comments Jamie Johnson, National Brand Ambassador for The Balvenie in Canada. “Each tea carries a story from the terroir it grows from to the hands that produce it. With these pairings, The Balvenie invites Canadians to slow down and discover a new dimension of whisky appreciation.”
Once reserved for quiet moments and brunch rituals, loose-leaf tea is making waves in modern mixology for its ability to add depth, nuance, and complexity. Long before this movement took hold, The Balvenie recognized the harmony between tea and whisky: two crafts rooted in heritage, terroir, and meticulous process. Whether enjoyed neat beside a warm cup, or explored through cocktails, these pairings reflect The Balvenie’s unwavering commitment to craft and curiosity. As tea continues to inspire mixology, The Balvenie continues to shape the future, where age-old traditions steep into something entirely new.
The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old & Jasmine Tea
The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 pairs beautifully with jasmine tea, softening the spice and tannins of the whisky. This pairing tells a story of cask finishing; how jasmine flowers layer on top of white or green tea to infuse an extra layer of flavour, the same as DoubleWood’s sherry cask finishing lends an extra layer of complexity to the whisky. A pairing of dimension and character, making for a heavenly match for early autumn evenings when the air is crisp, but the last blooms of the garden still linger.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old & Darjeeling Tea
Matured for 14 years in traditional oak whisky casks and finished in casks that previously held Caribbean rum, the Balvenie Caribbean Cask reveals a distinctive sweetness balanced by subtle spice. When paired with 2nd flush Darjeeling tea, known for its complex aroma, muscatel flavour and delicate body, the two create an effortless pairing of complexity and smoothness. The tea’s blend of warming stone fruits and toasted nuts complement the single malt’s flavours of vanilla, sweet oak, and fruity character create a refined pairing that is perfectly enjoyed for a slow, brisk afternoon on the porch.
The Balvenie Sweet Toast of American Oak & Oolong Tea
The Balvenie Sweet Toast of American Oak blends wonderfully with the classic creamy, soft character of oolong tea. This tea is wonderfully creamy with notes of coconut which help to soften the spiciness of Sweet Toast of American Oak’s virgin oak cask finish, bringing out the sweet butterscotch notes of the single malt. Together, this pairing creates a beautifully rounded pairing of indulgence and restraint, tailored for fireside conversations or a decadent holiday dessert course.
The Balvenie Week of Peat & Whole-Leaf Breakfast Tea
For a week a year, The Balvenie distills a batch of peated malt, resulting in a whisky rich with notes of honey, vanilla and citrus, and a touch of delicate smokiness. This velvety and round to taste scotch has notes of honey, vanilla, and citrus, with an extra layer of delicate smokiness. Beautifully balanced when paired with breakfast tea, offering layers of malty milk chocolate, honeycomb, nuts and citrus. A pairing as robust as it is refined — reminiscent of a smoky stout, yet unmistakably The Balvenie, just like the feeling of your favourite wool on a chilly day.
Hailing from the heart of Speyside, The Balvenie has set high standards when it comes to making whisky guided by its five rare crafts. From homegrown barley malted on one of the few remaining traditional floors, to copper stills of exacting shape and size, to the careful selection of the perfect casks, every element is shaped by time-honoured methods. At the helm is a Malt Master whose passion, expertise, and deep understanding ensure each drop of this liquid gold reflects the highest caliber of craftsmanship.
