The third release from Balvenie’s masterful Stories collection, A Day of Dark Barley transports us to a momentous occasion in the distillery’s history: the sudden delivery of a curious batch of barley one wet summer’s evening in 1992. Dark-roasted and extremely brittle, this malted barley was a particularly unusual variety that would typically only be found in stout production. Intrigued by the potential of this unique grain, the Balvenie team embarked on a 26-year-long experiment in aim of creating a single malt with unprecedented darkness and depth. After more than two decades of maturation, A Day of Dark Barley revealed itself as a singularly complex and intricate blend. A classic base of vanilla, citrus, and spice enveloped in rich chords of malt and oak, this whisky stands as a beautifully rare expression that simply necessitates savouring. Perfect Serve – This whisky is best appreciated served neat and sampled slowly.