Glenglassaugh releases first batch of single cask bottlings
Revived from the dark and hand-selected by Managing Director and Master Distiller Billy Walker, there are eight phenomenal malts in Batch 1 which range from 45 to 28 years.
All are crisp, fresh, sweet Highland malts that hit the palate with the power of complex fruit bombs – from apples, bananas, pineapples, grapefruit, prunes and plums to lime, cantaloupe melon and caramelised orange!
The oldest, cask # 1601, 45 years old, was distilled in May 1968. Bottled at 44.3% vol, this autumn gold veteran is long and luxurious. On the nose, heady red candy apples balance with delicate spiced orange softening to distant pineapple juice. And on the palate, crisp oak spices soften to reveal elegant waves of fresh green apple and wisps of ripe banana. Delicate hints of passion fruit, cedar wood and lime zest bring a fantastic depth to the long finish.
As a contrast, the youngest in the batch is a 28 year old distilled in February 1986.
This rich amber beauty, cask # 2101, was bottled at 43.7% vol. On the nose, gentle heather honey holds warm cigar box spices. Crisp, freshly-ground barley surrounds soaked raisins and sultanas. And on the palate, a toasted white oak spice runs through Demerara caramelised orchard fruits which mellow to dried apricot and hints of vanilla in the long subtle finish.
Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “We took over Glenglassaugh last year and were thrilled to discover a treasure trove of old and rare spirits slumbering in the warehouses. Revived from the dark, selected by Billy Walker for their excellence and personality and bottled last month, this is an extraordinary collection of rare casks which will be warmly welcomed by connoisseurs worldwide. Taken together, they are stunning examples of Glenglassaugh at its finest.”
All eight are presented in a beautiful golden box.
The batch details are:
1968 cask # 1601 / 45 years old / Finished in the finest Sherry Hogshead / 44.3% vol
1972 cask # 2114 / 41 years old / Matured in the finest Sherry Butt / 50.6% vol
1973 cask # 6801 / 40 years old / Finished in the finest Manzanilla Sherry Puncheon / 52.1% vol
1975 cask # 7301 / 38 years old / Finished in the finest Oloroso Sherry Hogshead / 40.7% vol
1975 cask # 7801 / 38 years old / Finished in the finest Moscatel Hogshead / 42.4% vol
1978 cask # 1803 / 35 years old / Finished in the finest Sherry Hogshead / 41.6% vol
1978 cask # 1810 / 35 years old / Finished in the finest Port Hogshead / 42.9% vol
1986 cask # 2101 / 28 years old / Finished in the finest Hogshead / 43.7% vol
Glengoyne introduces NEW 25YO
Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is expanding its whisky portfolio with the release of an outstanding 25YO bottling. Matured exclusively in hand-selected sherry casks for a quarter of a century, this unique malt is an important addition to the Glengoyne collection, which includes the 10, 12, 15, 18, 21 Year Old and Cask Strength malts.
The malt is presented in a new heavy bespoke bottle and outer box. The bottle features a fine metal stopper, crafted cartouche and delicately branded neck tag and is attractively displayed in an oak box interior, which includes an engraved plinth. The elegant exterior has a refined feather pattern subtly varnished on the pack.
Commenting on the new malt, Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “The Glengoyne 25YO is an extremely special malt. Matured in our traditional dunnage warehouses for 25 years in the finest European oak sherry casks, unchill-filtered and bottled as taste insists at 48%ABV, the result is a flavour of soft oak, cinnamon, stewed fruits and a Seville marmalade tang. A perfect after dinner dram.”
Glengoyne is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent, family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. Unlike most other single malt whiskies, Glengoyne dries its malted barley using only warm air resulting in this extremely subtle yet complex malt where all the delicate flavours are freely expressed.
Glengoyne Distillery – highly regarded as Scotland’s most beautiful distillery in Dumgoyne near Loch Lomond – runs its stills slower than any other distillery, supporting the claim that Glengoyne genuinely is “Worth the Wait”.
The Glengoyne 25YO will be available from April. The UK RRP for the 70cl bottle is £250.
New Look Benromach unveiled
Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has unveiled a new look for its flagship Benromach 10 Years Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky as the brand continues its strong growth in the domestic and overseas markets.
The new packaging reflects the handcrafted credentials of the single malt whisky which is made in the traditional, time honoured way by just three experienced distillers at the Benromach Distillery on Speyside.
Michael Urquhart Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of Benromach Distillery Co. Ltd, explained the thinking behind the change: “We wanted our new packaging to reflect the way we make our whisky. Our 10yo has a classic pre-1960s character which arises from the sum of all its parts used to create it. Every cask is hand-filled, hand weighed and hand-stamped before maturing in our traditional dunnage warehouses.
“The new packaging reflects that approach with its hand-cut lettering and its classic heritage colours. Yet at the same time the packaging provides a contemporary, sophisticated, luxury feel that looks to the future of a malt whisky that is very much a growing brand.”
The Benromach stills provided the inspiration for much of the change. The elegant new bottle shape includes a neck and shoulder designed to resemble the shape of the Benromach stills. The foil packaging has been created using an image of the surface of the stills themselves.
The embossed lettering and cut foil on the label create a soft and tactile feel. An innovative lid which doubles as a bottle plinth and leaflet holder provide an unique option for display, and the embossed lettering and cut have enhanced its shelf presence.
The new packaging is launched to the trade at the start of April.
The launch will be supported by a full marketing campaign incorporating a new website featuring a series of beautifully crafted films outlining the Benromach story.
Benromach sales have grown dramatically since the reopening. Sales increased by 29% last year and there is ongoing growth this year of 27%. The company now exports Benromach to 42 countries across the world. In 2013 the company announced an expansion to meet growing demand, including the recruitment of a third distiller and the building of more warehouses.
Benromach 10 Years Old was recently named “Best Speyside Single Malt – 12 Years and Under” at the World Whisky Awards 2014.
What Glenglassaugh Sales Director Alistair Walker said really sounded like those ebay scams.