Ballantine’s | 23 Years Old
The blended Scotch whisky brand of Ballantine’s has one of the most awarded ranges of any whisky in the world. A wide domestic core range supports an ever-increasing set of travel retail blends.
This 23-years-old is a stunner. A high proportion of the single malt and single grain whiskies in the mix mature in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels from Kentucky. It is a marriage made in heaven that produces a succulent and velvety whisky with luxurious notes of dried apple, floral honey, vanilla pod and layers of delicate spice.
Bowmore | Aston Martin 10 Years Old
This Scotch whisky is part of a wider collaboration between the Islay distillery and luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin. The 10-years-old kicks off a trilogy of special bottlings that celebrate the craftsmanship of both companies.
Each whisky (including 15- and 18-years-old expressions too) features packaging showing an iconic car that has moulded Aston Martin’s history. In this case, it is the Aston Martin LM10 that first appeared in the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1932. A delicious and classy combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Fable | Piper Chapter 7
This independent bottling range conceived in 2019 uses storytelling and creative illustration to convey its ever-expanding range of whiskies. Many in the Fable portfolio are single casks and this travel retail exclusive follows this track. The Piper Chapter 7 is a 13-year-old single malt distilled at the little-known Glen Elgin distillery in Speyside.
It is bottled at the natural cask strength of 55.8% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. Laced with caramelised banana and toasted malt notes, there are just 575 bottles produced. Grab one before they go.
Glendronach | Forgue 10 Years Old
Named after the hamlet of Forgue where the distillery is in deepest Aberdeenshire, this bottling was the brand’s first-ever exclusive release for travel retail. Previous whiskies had appeared, but these were from the domestic core range.
Glendronach is known for use of ex-sherry casks sourced from the south of Spain. The Forgue 10-years-old is no different and will not disappoint the distillery’s fanatical followers or new drinkers alike. Sweet, full bodied and rich with sultana, toffee and caramel notes plus delicate baking spices. An absolute stunner, especially for the price.
Glenmorangie | The Accord 12 Years Old
The north Highland distillery of Glenmorangie relaunched its travel retail range in Autumn 2021 with three whiskies at 12-, 14- and 16-years of age. Each pushes the spirit in a different direction, but more about that later.
The Accord is classic Glenmorangie and uses a sumptuous marriage of high-quality ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels. Sweet, rich and fruity with hints of marzipan and chocolate. If you prefer your Scotch whisky lighter and spicier then go for The Elementa 14-years-old, a virgin oak cask inspired single malt. If its mild smoke that you want, then The Tribute 16-years-old is for you.
Lagavulin | 10 Years Old
This exclusive airport bottling from the iconic Islay distillery appeared pre-pandemic and features a combination of ex-bourbon, re-fill and freshly charred rejuvenated casks. The expressive, sweet and spicy notes from these barrels marry superbly with the charismatic bonfire-like smoke of Lagavulin, making this a perfect choice for peated Scotch whisky fans.
More uplifting and youthful than the classic Lagavulin 16-years-old, this offers sweet and malty notes with white chocolate, butterscotch and peppery hot smoke. Delicious, warming and fabulous.
To find out more about Scotch whisky options, including Whisky 1901’s exclusive bottlings, get in touch with one of our experts or visit The Collection page.
