THE WORLD'S BEST WHISKIES

World Whiskies Awards 2021

The results are in for the International Whisky Competition, highlighting the best whiskies for 2021 from all around the world. Hosted in Estes Park, Colorado, this year where an entire panel of professionals blind tasted every single entrant before scoring based on a 100-point scale system, Scotland’s Ardbeg Uigeadail has officially been crowned the King of the Casks – stacking up an impressive 95.9 points to win The Golden Barrel Trophy.

In terms of overall rankings, Scotland has – unsurprisingly – managed to lock out the Top 3 spots with the Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 in second place (95.1 points), followed by Dewar’s Double Double 32 YO in third (95 points). But that isn’t to say it’s a completely domination. Taiwan has been staking their claim, placing fourth with the Kavalan Artist Series: Paul Chiang Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (94.6 points), and placing in three other spots within the Top 15. These awards are global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of drinks. These awards select, reward and promote the world’s best drinks to consumers and trade across the globe.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Sight: Colour (0 points), Visual Appeal (5 points)

Nose: Intensity & Complexity (15 points), Distinctiveness of Aromas (10 points), Balance of Aromas (10 points)

Taste/Mouth Feel: Palate & Balance (10 points), Alcohol, Body & Complexity (10 points), Distinctiveness of Flavours (10 points), Balance Between Flavours (10 points)

Finish: Length & Finish (10 points), Quality of Finish (10 points)

Whisky of the Year: Ardbeg Uigeadail (Islay, Scotland)

                                    

Winner Golden Barrel Trophy: Ardbeg

THE BEST WHISKIES IN THE WORLD

Ardbeg Uigeadail – 95.9 points

Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 – 95.1 points (Highland, Scotland)

Dewar’s Double Double 32 YO – 95 points

Kavalan Artist Series: Paul Chiang Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 94.6 points (Taiwan)

King Car 40th Anniversary Selected Wine Cask Matured Single Malt Whisky – 94 points (Taiwan)

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93.7 points (Taiwan)

Dewar’s Double Double 21 YO – 93.6 points (Scotland)

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO (Batch 2) – 93.4 points (Islay, Scotland)

Glenmorangie Signet – 93.1 points (Highland, Scotland)

Kavalan Solist (Oloroso) Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 93 points (Taiwan)

Kilchoman Machir Bay – 92.97 points (Islay, Scotland)

Ardbeg An Oa – 92.87 points (Islay, Scotland)

Aberlour A’Bundah – 92.73 points (Speyside, Scotland)

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 YO – 92.67 Pts (Highland, Scotland)

CATEGORY AND AGE WISE AWARDS 

BEST SINGLE MALT (ALL CATEGORIES, ALL COUNTRIES)

1st Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 95.9 Pts (Islay, Scotland)

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 – 95.1 Pts (Highland, Scotland)

3rd Place: Kavalan Artist Series: Paul Chiang Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky – 94.6 Pts (Taiwan)

BEST BLENDED WHISKY  (ALL CATEGORIES, ALL COUNTRIES)

1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old – 95 Pts (Scotland)

2nd Place: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old – 93.6 Pts (Scotland)

3rd Place: Dewar’s Double Double 27 Year Old – 92.37 Pts (Scotland)

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH

1st Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 95.9 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 – 95.1 Pts

3rd Place: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old (Batch 2) – 93.4 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH NAS (NO AGE STATEMENT)

1st Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail – 95.9 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Signet – 93.1 Pts

3rd Place: Kilchoman Machir Bay – 92.97 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 10 YEAR OLD & UNDER

1st Place: Ardbeg Wee Beastie – 91.67 Pts

2nd Place: Ardbeg Ten – 91.17 Pts

3rd Place: Glenmorangie The Original – 89.93 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 12 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenlivet 12 Year Old – 90.93 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or 12 Year Old – 90.53 Pts

3rd Place: Aberlour 12 Year Old –  89.47 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 13-14 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old – 92.67 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Elementa 14 Year Old – 89.77 Pts

3rd Place: The Glenlivet 14 Year Old – 89.07 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 15 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate Batch No. 2 – 89.67 Pts

2nd Place: The Glenlivet 15 Year Old – 89.5 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 16-17 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Aberlour 16 Year Old – 92.33 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Tribute 16 Year Old – 92.23 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 18 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenmorangie 18 Year Old – 92.37 Pts

2nd Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old – 92 Pts

3rd Place: Aberlour 18 Year Old – 87.53 Pts

BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH 19-25 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997 – 95.1 Pts

2nd Place: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old (Batch 2) – 93.4 Pts

3rd Place: Glenmorangie 19 Year Old– 90.97 Pts

BEST ISLAY SINGLE MALT

1st Place: Ardbeg Uigeadail - 95.9 Pts

2nd Place: Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old (Batch 2) – 93.4 Pts

3rd Place: Kilchoman Machir Bay – 92.97 Pts

BEST HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT

1st Place: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997 – 95.1 Pts

2nd Place: Glenmorangie Signet – 93.1 Pts

3rd Place: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old – 92.67 Pts

BEST SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT

1st Place: Aberlour A’Bunadh – 92.73 Pts

2nd Place: Aberlour 16 Year Old – 92.33 Pts

3rd Place: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old – 92 Pts

BEST LOWLAND SINGLE MALT

1st Place: Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Peated – 88.67 Pts

BEST NEW SCOTCH RELEASE 2021

1st Place: Ardbeg Scorch 2021 Committee Release – 91.63 Pts

2nd Place: Dewar's Portuguese Smooth - 8 Year Old – 90.23 Pts

3rd Place: Ardbeg Scorch 2021 Limited Edition – 90.13 Pts

BEST BLENDED SCOTCH 10 YEAR AND UNDER

1st Place: Dewar's Portuguese Smooth - 8 Year Old – 90.23 Pts

2nd Place: Dewar's Japanese Smooth - 8 Year Old – 87.97 Pts

3rd Place: Dewar's Ilegal Smooth - 8 Year Old – 87.6 Pts 

BEST BLENDED SCOTCH 12-15 YEAR OLD

1st Place: Dewar’s 12 Year Old The Ancestor – 89.6 Pts

2nd Place: Dewar’s 15 Year Old The Monarch – 88.2 Pts

3rd Place: Imperial 12 Year Old Blended Scotch – 86.2 Pts

BEST INDIAN WHISKY

1st Place: Mithuna by Paul John Indian Single Malts – 90.7 Pts

2nd Place: Paul John Nirvana Unpeated Indian Single Malt Whisky – 89.73 Pts

3rd Place: Paul John P.X. Select Cask Indian Single Malt  – 89.1 Pts 

BEST DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR : KAVALAN TAIWAN

Kavalan Distillery, Taiwan won a total of 18 awards, one Best Other Single Malt Whisky fpr its Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, 11 double golds and six gold medals. The distillery representation was true to type, with very strong whiskies, at or around cask strength. The list ran like so: 

AWARD	WHISKY
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1 Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Madeira Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist PX Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Double Gold	Kavalan Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan 10th Anniversary Earth Silver Wine Cask Matured Single Cask Single Malt Whisky
Gold	Kavalan Artist Series: Paul Chiang - Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky

                    Image Source: Whisky.com

THE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

 

 
THE WORLD DRINKS AWARDS

The World Drinks Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of drinks. Presented by TheDrinksReport.com, acclaimed global professionals select, reward and promote the world’s best drinks to consumers and trade across the globe.

WORLD'S BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKIES

Best Scotch Speyside Single Malt 12 Years & Under

The Glenallachie 10 Yo Batch 4

Gold Medal Winners

Darkness 8 YO 47.8% ABV Independent Bottler

Aultmore 18 YO 46% ABV John Dewar & Sons Ltd

Braes of Glenlivet 27 YO 48% ABV Chivas Brothers

Benromach Contrasts: Organic 46% ABV Benromach

Silver Medal winners include Glenlivet 18 YO & Craigellachie 13 YO.

Best Scotch Speyside Single Malt 13 to 20 Years

Tomintoul Whisky 16 YO

Gold Medal Winners: Aultmore 18 YO 46% ABV John Dewar & Sons Ltd

The Silver Medal winners included the Tamdhu 12, Glenallachie 13, Glenlivet 18 YO, the Craigellachie 12 YO and the Tomintoul 21 YO

The Bronze was bagged by Caperdonich 18 YO Peated, Ballantine's Glenburgie Single Malt 15 YO and a Longmorn 23 YO

21 Years & Over     

Winner-Glen Keith 21 YO Scotch Single Malt

Gold Medal Winner: Braes of Glenlivet, 27 YO

No Age Statement

Winner : Aberlour A’Bunadh

Gold Medal Winner

Benromach Contrasts: Organic

WORLD'S BEST BLENDED SCOTCH

Dewar's Double Double 21 Years Old

WORLD'S BEST BLENDED MALT

Chivas Regal Ultis

BEST GENERIC WHISKY BRANDS IN THE WORLD

Alongside the best whisky brands that have been pleasing lovers of the spirit for years comes a new influx of distilleries making subtle differences to switch things up. These whisky brands are introducing unique flavour profiles, unusual ageing methods, and thinking up new tricks as time passes to keep the drink at the forefront of our minds. And when it comes to whisky, the cliché is true: there really is something for everyone.

Take a glance through amber-tinted glasses to explore a huge range of our favourite drams, from the peaty Laphroaigs to the smooth Balvenies and the unconventional Highland Park.

        

CATEGORY	WHISKY
Best budget	Speyburn
Best value	Glen Moray
Best entry-level	Craigellachie
Best for the money	Highland Park
Best under $50	Glenlivet
Best Scotch whisky	Glenmorangie
Best tasting	Longmorn
Best sipping	Oban
Best neat	Glengoyne
Best for a foggy day	Chivas Regal
Best for a rainy day	Laphroaig
Best for an Old Fashioned	Balvenie
Best single malt	Singleton of Glen Ord 18 YO
Best Blended Scotch	Buchanan’s
Best in complexity	Bunnahabhain
Best top shelf single malt	Macallan
Best top shelf Blended Scotch	Johnnie Walker
Best peated	Ardbeg
Best smoky	Lagavulin
Best sherried	Glendronach

CHIVAS REGAL EXPANDS PORTFOLIO GLOBALLY

 CHIVAS REGAL 25 YO RETURNS ALMOST 100 YEARS AFTER DEBUT IN THE USA

ADDS HOST OF SINGLE AND BLENDED MALTS

Amazingly enough, no Chivas family member is, or was ever connected with the Chivas Regal brand of whiskies. In 1900, the then Master Blender and co-owner of Chivas Brothers, Charles Stewart Howard, decided to create a new blend that would pay tribute to the legacy of the founding brothers, James and John Chivas. Using select malts from the 20 YO Royal Loch Nevis and other aged malts procured from the Highlands and Campbeltown, Howard found a malt-dominated recipe fitting the bill. 

Introducing the term ‘Regal’ for the first time ever, Howard created in 1909, all of 9 years later, what he believed to be the finest whisky ever made, a 25-year-old whisky called Chivas Regal that met all regulatory parameters for bottling and labelling as the oldest Blended Scotch Whisky of its era, establishing it as the world’s first and oldest luxury whisky. The ABV was reduced to 46% to make it an excellent base for a Highball. It made its debut in a specially designed heavy green glass bottle — with gold and silver trimmings as well as a cork made in Portugal — in the USA to a glamorous reception in 1909. It was discontinued in difficult times in 1936.

As the 20th century came to a close, work carried on at a stepped-up pace in the vast Scotch Whisky empire, as more and more millennials came of drinking age. Anticipating the boom, the fifth Master Blender at Chivas Brothers, Colin Scott, with the help of then Deputy Master Blender Sandy Hyslop’s wide expertise in blending, particularly Single and Blended Malts, set about creating new whiskies for the international market, while retaining tight control over the flagship 12 Year Old which was then ranked No 2 globally to Johnnie Walker's Black Label Blended Scotch.

The new blends introduced by the Chivas family to the market were:

• Chivas Regal Mizunara, the world’s first blended Scotch whisky a portion of which is selectively finished in Japanese Mizunara oak casks
• Chivas Regal Extra, selectively matured in Oloroso sherry casks.
• Chivas Regal Ultis, a NAS Blended Malt, with single malts from Allt a'Bhainne, Braeval, Longmorn, Strathisla and Tormore.
• The iconic Chivas Regal 18 YO Gold Signature, launched in 1997 and then repackaged in 2004.
• The Chivas Regal Extra 13 YO honouring the Chivas Bother's 13 King's Street address.
• The Chivas Regal Extra 13 YO honouring Manchester United soccer club's 13th League Title.
• The Chivas Regal 15 YO launched in 2018.
• The iconic Chivas Regal 18 YO Blue Signature, launched in 2018 and reserved for the burgeoning Vietnam market.

Single Malts: Chivas Brothers entered the Single Malt Market too, in 2018, with its usual flourish, as elaborated later.

It was during the period of experiment and research for the launch of the 18 YO that he saw fresh avatars of the old brands that were used to create the original Chivas Regal 25 YO of 1909, the world’s first luxury and oldest Blended Scotch that was first made available in the USA and then the rest of the world. Names had changed over the century, but that was when experience and past knowledge, including that of Hyslop, came to the fore. He then decided on recreating the first Chivas Regal product ever, the 25 YO of 2009.

Only the rarest 25-year-old Scotch whiskies were put together for this legendary blend. Every drop was meticulously blended to rekindle the delicate intensities and subtle textures made famous by the original Chivas 25 YO. Some of the casks available needed a year or two to reach 25 years and Scott utilised the time to study the notes passed down the ages and the closest-to-original single malts. It was paraded with the fanfare of 1909 when reintroduced to the world in 2007. Unfortunately, the component malt whiskies could not wait till 2009, for an exact 100 years of history.

Since then, each batch of Chivas Regal 25 is built up from scratch in the blending room. The blenders bring in cask samples from extensive stocks in warehouses all over Scotland and build up the blend in miniature amounts, then assess the quality before blending all the casks together. Then a double-check is carried out, where every individual cask is nosed again before blending the casks together.

Single Malts: Chivas Brothers have a strong presence in the Single Malt market too.

The Secret  Speyside Collection was launched by Chivas Brothers in June 2019, featuring fifteen rare Single Malts from four highly sought-after distilleries. This is its biggest Single Malt collection release till date, with the launch of fifteen aged Single Malt Scotch whiskies from four seldom-seen, yet definitely sought-after Speyside, Scotland distilleries.

The Collection is a meticulously curated selection of 18-30 year old whiskies from four elusive distilleries. Each has its own rich and unique history for Single Malt fans to discover: the vanished distillery of Caperdonich, the pioneering Longmorn distillery, the landmark Glen Keith distillery, and the remote Braes of Glenlivet distillery.

The Caperdonich Collection: This collection contains the only available Single Malts from this distillery, which was taken down in 2011. 

The Longmorn Collection: Blending unique insights in technology and craft, Longmorn was designed by founder John Duff in 1894 to create a whisky of outstanding quality. One of Scotland’s best kept secrets, Longmorn has long been considered world class by distillers, blenders and connoisseurs, often referred to as ‘every distiller’s favourite apart from their own.’

The Glen Keith Collection: This batch marked the first official age-statement release this century from the landmark distillery.

The Braes of Glenlivet Collection: This series was the first official bottling from one of the highest distilleries in Speyside.

The Chivas Regal Extra 13 YO Scotch Whisky

BOTTLED SEPARATELY FOR TWO CAUSES:

Brand: Chivas Regal Extra 13, Selectively Finished in American Rye Cask

Type: Blended Scotch Whisky 13 YO   40% ABV  70/75 cl

The Chivas Extra 13 Blended Scotch Whisky selectively finished in American Rye Casks (L) is inspired by the Chivas Brothers’ 13 King Street Emporium in Aberdeen, where they imported different spirits, exotic spices, and luxury food items from across the globe. Imparting its own unique combination of characteristics onto the Chivas blend, this finish brings new and contrasting flavour notes to the spirit for the first time.

The Chivas Regal Extra 13 YO (R) was created as a new line of whiskies dedicated to Manchester United and used to support the Beyond Sport Foundation, which promotes the use of sport to address social issues in communities around the world. This particular release was their 13 YO Scotch whisky, which was aged in American Rye Whiskey barrels for 13 years. The number 13, considered unlucky for some, is of significance here because it commemorates the 13 English League titles won by Manchester United.

CHIVAS REGAL THE ICON
BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

The pinnacle of the Chivas range. This iconic blend is made up of more than 20 of Scotland’s rarest whiskies, some of which are from ghost distilleries now lost forever. A skilfully balanced blend that moves from irreplaceable casks to a handcrafted crystal decanter, Chivas The Icon takes centre stage in any drink cabinet. Because success is a blend, in life and in Scotch. After all, Chivas Regal The Icon is Scotch whisky crafted to perfection. Coveted by whisky aficionados the world over, these precious rare malts are blended together and matured to craft a timeless icon that’s only released in highly limited qualities every year.

For more than a century, the name Chivas Regal has represented a promise of excellence, setting the standard for luxury Scotch whisky. Chivas The Icon is a blend for contemporary connoisseurs who wish to taste a new era of luxury. A taste of the past, yet an icon for the future. This exclusive whisky is best drunk neat, on the rocks or with a drop of water.

Each decanter used for Chivas The Icon is hand-blown and hand-finished by dedicated master craftsmen at Dartington Crystal. Etched with careful precision and dressed in finely crafted metalwork ensures a sublime finish reminiscent of the iconic green Chivas Regal bottle that captivated high society over a century ago.

Addenda:

Alan Winchester, Master Distiller, The Glenlivet, Pernod-Ricard-owned Chivas Brothers, expands on this special collection:

Q: How did the idea of the Secret Speyside collection come about?

We know the global whisky community is constantly seeking rare and exciting expressions to add to its collection. When our experts unearthed 15 single malt whiskies from four of Speyside's revered, yet seldom-seen, distilleries, we knew we could create a truly remarkable collection. We wanted to give whisky connoisseurs a chance to discover these hidden treasures. With Speyside's rich history and heritage in distilling some of the best whiskies in the world, we saw an opportunity to create a collection that would not only taste impeccable but also inspire the drinkers to discover the fascinating stories behind the bottles.

Q: When you picked these 18-30-year-old whiskies, what were the criteria for selecting the four distilleries that you picked?

Firstly, the liquids had to be of the highest quality, showcasing the flavours from across the region. The four distilleries boast individual characteristics, meaning that while all are from the Speyside region, each produces different-tasting liquids, which gives the collection a great deal of depth - there truly is something for everyone.

Secondly, but of equal importance, was that the distilleries had to encapsulate Speyside's rich heritage and have a story to tell. The four distilleries we chose to serve as a testament to the region because they each tell their own unique tale of Speyside's history. Yet, because they remained relatively undiscovered and hidden from the public, they have become revered and their liquids rare.

Q: What is it that unifies these single malts?

The Secret Speyside collection offers whisky connoisseurs the chance to uncover, sample and collect 15 single malts from the heart of the Speyside region that have rarely been made available in the past. While they are unified by their rarity and how each distillery has a unique story to discover, each single malt is distinct and rich in character, offering unplumbed depths of flavour from smooth and fruity to peated and smoky.

Q: What is it about Speyside that makes it the 'heart' of whiskies the world over?

Each whisky region in Scotland has its own character and taste, but Speyside whiskies are renowned for their incredibly high quality, and that is why this region has the largest concentration of distilleries in Scotland, possibly in the world. Speyside sits in a fertile valley of rivers and glens and the sheer purity of these waters is one of the key elements in making Speyside whiskies so great.

Q: And why are these whiskies deemed a 'secret'- is it because they are rarely sold as single malts?

The bottles in this collection have been sourced from four of the region's seldom-seen, yet highly sought-after, distilleries, making the bottles quite rare. Some are even in finite supply and, once gone, they will be gone forever, so this truly is a remarkable collection.

Q: Have all or some of them been featured in Chivas blends - and if so, which ones?

We don't give away exactly which whiskies we use in all of our blends, but due to the quality of the single malt from these distilleries, we can safely assume that they have appeared in some of the highest-quality blends we've created for Chivas.

Q: What's of particular interest is the six expressions (peated as well as unpeated) from the now-closed distillery Caperdonich. Can you tell us about these six whiskies?

Caperdonich, meaning 'Secret Well' in Gaelic, is an extremely intriguing distillery because it no longer exists. The distillery closed in 2011 and was taken down brick by brick, meaning Caperdonich has earned the nickname of 'The Vanished Distillery'. This collection contains the only available single malts from Caperdonich, giving connoisseurs a rare opportunity to discover these precious liquids, with a finite supply. What's more, people have the unique chance to compare the peated and unpeated expressions of the same age - 21- and 25-year-olds. The unpeated spirit is full of ripe orchard fruits that give Caperdonich's sweet single malt a complex body and long smooth finish. When gently peated, a sophisticated smokiness adds an extra element and depth of flavour.

Q: Can you tell us about the Glen Keith distillery - the single malts from there in this collection, and also their age - since it's rare to find such aged single malts from Glen Keith. What is the distillation there that gives these aged single malts their unique taste?

The first Speyside distillery built in the 20th century, Glen Keith, rose from the ruins of an old mill on the banks of the River Isla, besides a deep pool of crystal-clear water, and this collection marks the first official aged release this century from the landmark distillery.

Each of the three whiskies from Glen Keith in this collection - a 21-year-old, a 25-year-old and a 28-year-old are exceptionally smooth as Glen Keith's pot stills are taller than most, giving an extra 'copper kiss' to the single malt. This results in complex, intensely smooth expressions of the classic fruity Speyside style.

Q: Can you tell us about the new expressions from Longmorn distillery - how old they are, how they were aged and their tasting notes?

The three whiskies in this collection are an 18-year-old, a 23-year-old and a cask-strength 25-year-old, each bringing a more intense take on the soft, creamy toffee and rich flavour profile that is unique to Longmorn whiskies. Longmorn has long been considered world-class by distillers, blenders and connoisseurs alike, often referred to as 'every distillers' favourite apart from their own'.

Q: And the last distillery - Braes of Glenlivet -is very high and has a unique water source. Could you tell us about the distillation and single malts from there that are in the collection - how old they are and their tasting notes?

The three whiskies from Braes of Glenlivet in this collection are a 25-year-old, a 27-year-old and a cask strength that is 30-year-old. Made using the purest water from the Preenie well, two miles deep in the Braes hills, the resulting whisky is smooth, balanced and packed with tropical fruits.

Q: Why are these malts so rare?

These malts are so rare because they have seldom been available prior to this collection but come from some of Speyside's most revered distilleries.

Q: Why are they Collectors’ Items?

This collection allows whisky connoisseurs to discover Speyside's hidden treasures and serves as a testament to the region itself. For some of these, the liquid is so rare that it's the only opportunity to taste the incredible whiskies that these distilleries have produced and would make a fine addition to any collection.

Addenda courtesy Priya Kumari Rana in businesstoday.in/ 2020-10-29