The Glenlivet has released its 12 Year Old Provence Edition, the latest limited bottling in its Beyond Speyside series and the first time the distillery has used French white wine casks in any of its expressions. The series takes The Glenlivet’s single malt out of the Speyside Valley and filters it through the character of somewhere else entirely; this release looks to the South of France, a region known for its lavender fields, vineyards, and easy, sun-soaked way of life.
Under the guidance of Cask Master Kevin Balmforth, a portion of the whisky has been finished across three French wine cask types. The headline cask comes from Château Sainte Marguerite in Provence, one of only 18 estates to hold Cru Classé des Côtes de Provence status, and its white wine casks bring bright citrus and a floral lift. Alongside it sit Rivesaltes casks, which previously held the fortified sweet wine of Roussillon and add nuttiness and warming spice, and Sauternes casks from Bordeaux, whose rich, botrytised sweetness comes through as marmalade and crème brûlée.
The Glenlivet’s house style has long been built on a soft, mellow fruitiness rather than anything heavy or forceful, which makes a white wine finish a natural fit, and the release has already picked up a Gold medal at the 2026 Scotch Whisky Masters, organised by The Spirits Business.
Kevin Balmforth, Cask Master at The Glenlivet comments: “With the Provence Edition, we wanted to take The Glenlivet somewhere unexpected. The challenge was introducing new layers of flavour inspired by Provence while remaining unmistakably The Glenlivet. By actively monitoring the finishing process and carefully balancing the influence of Château Sainte Marguerite, Rivesaltes, and Sauternes wine casks, we have created a whisky that delivers vibrant orchard fruit, elegant floral notes and exceptional complexity; capturing the vibrancy and elegance that inspired this release.”
On the nose, you can expect white peaches in syrup, lemon peel and orange marmalade, followed by coconut, homemade shortbread and toasted almonds. The palate moves from juicy nectarine to ripe pear and tangy red apple, with crème brûlée, marzipan and white chocolate before a trace of chamomile and warming spice, leading to a floral, smooth finish. The Glenlivet suggests pairing it with Comté, or with roasted peaches finished with honey and rosemary for something more Provençal.
The bottle is presented in packaging inspired by the Provençal landscape, with lavender hues and warm golden tones set against The Glenlivet’s signature teal, nodding to the region’s vineyards, floral fields and Riviera glamour.
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Provence Edition is a limited edition, available now from specialist retailers globally and via The Glenlivet.
