Benromach | 50 years old
The small Speyside distillery of Benromach is independently owned and highly regarded. The launch of this 50-year-old is the pinnacle of a recent wave of very old and rare vintage releases and is one of its oldest single malts to date. The whisky has been maturing in the distillery’s warehouses on the outskirts of the Speyside town of Forres for half a century since the early-1970s. It is bottled at the natural cask strength of 54.6% ABV.
The whisky is presented in a handblown glass decanter created by Highland hot glass studio Glasstorm. This includes battuto – a highly skilled technique where glass is hand-sculpted by the glassmaker. Because of this, each decanter is unique. There are less than 250 such decanters available. Expect notes of grilled pineapple and caramelised orange peel. This is followed by stewed orchard fruits such as apple and apricot, old chamois leather and a gentle wisp of soft, sweet peat smoke.
The Glenlivet | Eternal Collection: First Edition 55 years old
The Glenlivet celebrates its 200th anniversary this year and has launched its oldest official distillery bottling to commemorate this. The First Edition 55 years old has been maturing in a single ex-sherry cask since the late-1960s. Kevin Balmforth, the Cask Master at The Glenlivet, has been nurturing the cask in recent years and it launches the distillery’s Eternal Collection. This will showcase the rarest stock left maturing in the famous Speyside distillery’s warehouses.
The whisky is housed in an opulent spherical decanter, which sits inside an extraordinary sculpture created by computational architect Michael Hansmeyer. Just 100 decanters exist. It is bottled at the natural cask strength of 42.2% ABV. Notes of poached pear, hazelnut and vanilla fudge dominate. They are supported by further notes of zesty orange, dark chocolate and gingerbread. A true work of art in every sense.
Laphroaig | Strong Characters 33 years old
The iconic Islay distillery of Laphroaig has launched the Strong Characters range of limited-edition single malts with the inaugural bottling – Laphroaig Strong Characters 33 years old. Each bottling in the series will honour an influential person in the distillery’s history and begins with co-founder Donald Johnson. The packaging features striking monochromatic illustrations from British artist Bill Bragg.
The whisky has matured for over three decades in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and European oak ex-sherry hogshead casks. Complex notes of vanilla crème brûlée and stewed rhubarb combined with smoked fish and manuka honey are all wrapped up in Laphroaig’s signature medicinal peat smoke. Hints of drying seaweed, creamy fudge and salty sea spray round things off superbly. Very deep and complex.
The Macallan | 1990 33 years old Komorebi Edition
While September saw The Macallan release their showy Time: Space as part of their 200th anniversary, this indie bottling snuck under the radar somewhat. Released by the award-winning East Asia Whisky Company, this is inspired by the Japanese term ‘komorebi ‘, which translates as ‘sunlight through trees’. The whisky was distilled in 1990 at The Macallan and matured for 31 years in a single ex-bourbon cask before a final two-year finishing period in a rare Japanese mizunara oak cask.
This new bottling is enhanced further by a stunning decanter designed by the prestigious Glencairn Crystal. The concept of komorebi is brought to life with an intricate engraved silver oak blossom branch design wrapping around the bottle and an elegant paint stroke running down the back. Each was meticulously completed by hand by skilled Glencairn technicians over many hours. Expect notes of vanilla custard, orange oil and clove married with milk chocolate and leather.
To find out more about the new bottlings or the Scotch whisky distilleries that Whisky 1901 work with, get in touch with me or the team.
**Disclaimer**
Whisky cask investments are unregulated in the UK. The value of investments is variable and can go down as well as up. You have 14 days to change your mind and request a full refund under our cooling-off period. The volume of spirit will decrease over time (known as “the Angels’ share”). “New Make” spirit has to be matured for 3 years, during which time its alcoholic strength could be reduced. However, for the product to be classed as “whisky”, it must retain a minimum strength of 40%. Fees apply, see terms and conditions for details and terms around exiting your investment.
An investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance. The capital invested can fluctuate and the price of casks can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. The investments and services offered by us may not be suitable for all investors. If you have any doubts as to the merits of an investment, you should seek advice from an independent financial advisor. The Whisky 1901 Ltd sale price includes a discretionary markup to cover the cost of services provided, including but not limited to, storage, movement and maintenance of casks, insurance, front and back-office software.
by Matt Chambers
Master of Whisky
24.10.24
