A KING THIS TIME

 IT’S CORONATION TIME AGAIN

Saturday 6 May 2023 will mark the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla and spirits brands have snapped up the opportunity to celebrate with some commemorative releases. King Charles III is known to favour whisky, gin and gin-based cocktails. It is no surprise that both whisky and gin brands have leapt at the opportunity to release numerous commemorative bottlings and are producing spirits to mark the occasion of King Charles’ ascension to the throne, and, as expected, even the pre-mixed cocktail category has jumped on the bandwagon.

Since Charles III quite enjoys his whisky, I will stick to this spirit throughout the article. He has visited numerous Scotch distilleries during his official engagements, and as Prince Charles, he granted his Royal Warrant to Laphroaig Distillery in 1994. Quite a few distilleries are releasing special commemorative whiskies to mark the occasion, ranging from the exorbitant to some whiskies that will suit the budgets of mere commoners. Understandably, these coronation whiskies are mainly available in the UK and some will sell out quickly. Whisky lovers across the globe should be able to source some of these bottles online for international delivery or seek them out at auction.

THE CORONATION SPECIALS LINEUP

• Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition 52.3% £20,000
• Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 1948 50.4% £25,000
• The Mark Littler Coronation Reserve (distilled at Macallan) 27 YO 41% £2,599
• Highgrove Coronation Whisky Private Cask 50.2% £295
• Glenfarclas 12 YO 43% £85.99
• The English Coronation 46% £84.95
• Fortnum & Mason’s Coronation Royal Brackla 12 YO 46% £97.50
• The Great Drams Blended Cask Series King Charles III Coronation Blend 50.2% £55 50Cl
• The Great Drams Single Cask Series Coronation 2023 Special Edition Girvan 15 YO 48.2% £65
• Bimber The King’s Cask 52.2% £85
• Wolfburn 7 YO Coronation Special Single Malt 57.8% £69.99
• Bladnoch Limited Edition Tokaji ‘Kings Wine’ cask 47.7% £180
• Balmoral Royal Lochnagar Coronation Edition 48% £360

Royal Salute – King Charles III Edition

The coronation of King Charles III also marks a new era for this Scotch whisky brand at the end of the first quarter of a new century, as it was first created as a gift for Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation last century in 1953. That year, Chivas Brothers released their first Royal Salute blended Scotch whisky as a gift to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in honour of her Coronation. Seventy years later and the Speyside-based brand further honours the British Monarchy with its latest limited-edition expression, the Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition.

This is the perfect occasion to reflect on the innovative approach Chivas Brothers has taken to blending whisky for the past 70 years while looking forward to what can be achieved in the years to come. Royal Salute Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, in an announcement on 01 May 2023, stated that this blend would consist of 53 rare malt and grain whiskies—all a minimum of 21 years old—reflecting the year Royal Salute was first crafted.

As one would expect, advancement in technology and technique would see The Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition offer a more rich and complex expression than the original Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend for Queen Elizabeth II, with aromas of fresh red currants, dark chocolate praline and freshly roasted chestnuts, as well as a palate of sweet figs, fresh ginger and a long finish. Their flavour profiles are distinct, as the original expression had a blend of vanilla and orchard fruits crowned with subtle notes of sherry and a wisp of smoke in the finish, whereas the new expression has more of a spicy finish with elevated sweet and fruity notes, having been finished for more than two years in a first fill Spanish oak Oloroso sherry butt.

Presented in a Dartington Crystal, sapphire-tinted decanter, only 500 bottles will be distributed globally, making it highly coveted and a true collectable at a price befitting the occasion. The sapphire hue was used to match the precious stones within the Imperial State Crown while the wooden box encasing the decanter showcases chiselled architectural details inspired by Westminster Abbey, the historic venue of the British Coronation ceremonies since 1066. 

Each country forming the UK is also represented as its crest is used as inspiration for the colourful artwork inside the box, along with an interior message that describes the expression as a celebration of “the legacy, unity and solidarity of the Monarchy.”

The official tasting notes are:

Nose: Fresh redcurrants, homemade strawberry jam, banoffee pie, dark chocolate praline, freshly-roasted chestnuts, clove spice and a hint of charred pineapple.

Palate: A balanced mixed of poached pears, sticky sweet figs, rich toffee, lavish hazelnut chocolate and lively festive spice of fresh ginger, cinnamon and cloves.

Finish: Long and rich with enduring, playful spice on the palate.

The Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition is available for pre-order on ReserveBar.com at £ 20,000 ($25,000).

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Glen Grant 1948

Gordon & MacPhail has launched a 74-year-old whisky for King Charles III's coronation. The septuagenarian whisky from Glen Grant was filled to cask by Gordon & MacPhail in 1948 – the year of His Majesty's birth. This is a single-cask whisky to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III – which, at 74 years, is just a few months older than the new monarch himself. Timed perfectly down to the year!

The Private Collection 1948 from Glen Grant Distillery was filled into a first-fill sherry cask in April 1948 by Gordon & MacPhail. It was bottled on 15 December, the anniversary of his christening, at a remarkable cask strength of 50.4% ABV after 74 years in the cask. Only 281 bottles of this remarkably rare release will be made available, priced at £25,000 (US$ 31,200).

It comes around a year after Gordon & MacPhail released a 70-year-old single malt to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022. The independent bottler has an existing link to the Monarch, who officially reopened its Benromach Distillery in 1998, when he was the Prince of Wales.

To celebrate the release of its King Charles III Coronation Edition, Gordon & MacPhail will make a donation of £25,000 to the Prince's Foundation, a charity which runs educational and training programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds including arts and heritage craft skills, horticulture, wellbeing, and hospitality.

A spokesman at Gordon & MacPhail said: "This exceptional whisky is a fitting tribute to His Majesty, who has continually promoted and protected British tradition and excellence over many decades. This release has been carefully nurtured for more than 70 years and is a testament to great patience, long-term thinking, and commitment to creating high-quality products – principles that have been handed down through generations of people working for our family business. For more than 50 years, King Charles has placed a firm focus on sustainability and supporting communities. Our donation to the Prince’s Foundation will support his vision of a more sustainable world and aims to help create future legacies."

TASTING NOTES

Colour: amber

Nose: fragrant festive spices complement mulled berries with a hint of raisin. Lemon zest comes to the fore alongside demerara sugar and subtle beeswax polish.

Palate: red apple flavours infused with bitter orange and milk chocolate. Subtle smoke develops, accompanied by fresh peppermint leaves.

Finish: full finish with lingering grapefruit and mature oak.

The Mark Littler Macallan 27-Year-Old Coronation Reserve - Distilled At The Macallan Distillery

Evolving Continuity: The label on this special bottling of 27-year-old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, distilled at the Macallan Distillery, honours the great Occasion of State which we celebrate today, 06 May 2023, and is, in itself, a grand object of history.

It was Macallan devotee Mark Littler’s idea to honour the talents Macallan had pressed into service for their own advertising and labels in the past by employing them to design and write this one.

An original doodle for a possible Coronation bottling was drawn up almost a decade ago by distinguished designer and artist David Holmes, intrinsic to Macallan publicity design from 1978 to 1994 and designer of prized Macallan labels including, famously, the legendary 1926 60-Year-Old Bottling. When David died in 2018, the sketch was lost. It was his son Toby Holmes who unearthed it and adapted it for its reincarnation.

It is a fitting way to propose a toast to the new-crowned Charles III and to a 1,000-year-old Coronation tradition with Macallan’s own version of evolving continuity.

The Artwork: The main label on this commemorative bottling is based on a sketch found in David Holmes' studio following his death in 2018 and has been adapted for use on this bottle by David’s son Toby Holmes.

The label features many references to British Heraldry.  Some of the elements include the flags of the four nations: St. George's Cross, St. Andrew's Cross (also known as the Saltire), The Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) and St. Patrick's Saltire

Other references include a Tudor rose (which is a combination of The Red Rose of Lancaster and the White Rose of York), Acorns and oak leaves (which are used in the heraldry and symbolism of the British royal family due to their association with strength, endurance, and longevity) and St Edward's Crown, the current version of which was made in 1661 for the coronation of King Charles II, following the restoration of the monarchy.

This is an incredible 27-year-old single cask, cask strength single malt whisky distilled at the Macallan distillery and independently bottled by Mark Littler LTD on behalf of their client.

Just 90 bottles of this exceptional whisky have been bottled to honour the great occasion of state, the coronation of King Charles III on the 6th of May 2023 priced at £2,599.

Distillery: Macallan

Bottler: Mark Littler LTD

ABV: 41%

Edition: 90 individually numbered bottles

Certificates: Each bottle is accompanied by a signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity, a copy of the original David Holmes sketch and a commemorative celebration card.

This bottle is being sold by a client who has appointed Mark Littler LTD to act as their agent. The seller is not a VAT-registered business and there is no VAT included in the purchase price nor is there any VAT to pay.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Blonde
Nose: Lemon meringue, marzipan, malty biscuits, malting floor. Soft caramel and toffee. A gentle saltiness to counter all of the sweetness, fresh pine wood, and pineapple.
Palate: More creaminess and fresh lemon zest. The barley notes are wonderful and quite a contrast from the regular Macallan style. A biscuit note runs through the whole development, accompanied by subtle sweet notes of brown sugar, coconut, banana, and pineapple.
Finish: More fresh barley and malty creaminess.

Summary: A very subtle and easy-drinking Macallan that is the epitome of what ex-American oak Macallan is all about; loads of sweet, creaminess with a long but gentle finish.

Please note that this whisky will be available exclusively through a ballot.

Highgrove Gardens and The Cotswolds Distillery – Coronation Whisky

Highgrove Gardens have created a very special release of single malt whisky with the Cotswolds Distillery, the award-winning distillery located in the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty. This rich and fruity whisky has been created using Plumage Archer barley grown on the Highgrove Estate and was distilled, matured, and bottled in the Cotswolds. Limited to just 340 bottles, this unique release comes from a specially selected shaved, toasted, and re-charred ex-red wine cask. This highly active cask gives a rich and intense maturation to the fruity new make spirit, offering strong notes of toffee, chocolate, and red fruits, as well as a beautiful deep colour. The whisky has a commemorative Coronation label and is presented in a bespoke box to mark this historic occasion. The cask was filled in May 2017 and bottled in March 2023.

This release is available to purchase exclusively from The Highgrove Shop at Highgrove Gardens. All profits from sales of the whisky will support The Prince’s Foundation for its charitable delivery of education and training initiatives.

Tasting Notes for the Coronation Cask

Nose: baked pears, nutmeg, treacle
Palette: toasted oak, cacao, candied orange
Finish: sweet, rich, touch of clove spice
The Highgrove Coronation Single Malt Whisky is bottled at 50.2% and has an RRP of £295 (US$366.70).

Bladnoch Tokaji 'King's Cask' King Charles III's Coronation Special

Bladnoch Distillery is celebrating the coronation of King Charles III will the release of a single cask expression. The special release from the Lowlands distillery will be available from the day of the coronation.

An 1817 distillery, Bladnoch has had its fair share of ups and downs, remaining closed longer than it was open. Bladnoch reopened in 1956, was expanded to four stills in 1966, became part of Inver House for a decade, and then in 1983 was bought by Arthur Bell & Son. After Bell’s take over it went to Guinness/UD [now Diageo] and production once again slowed. In 1993, it was officially decommissioned.

In July 2015 Australian businessman David Prior, along with ex-Scotch Whisky Association CEO, Gavin Hewitt, purchased Bladnoch and plans to restore the distillery to its former glory. Ahead of its reopening in 2017, three single malts created using existing stocks of Bladnoch (Samsara, Adela and Talia), were released in limited quantities in Australia, the UK and other global markets. Full-fledged production at Bladnoch officially restarted in June 2017, with the flow of a grassy, malty Lowland-style spirit.

Bladnoch has a special connection to His Majesty and the Queen Consort, Camilla, who came to the distillery in the Scottish Lowlands in September 2019 to open its visitor centre and signed their names to a cask during their visit.

For the commemorative coronation release, Bladnoch's master distillery Dr Nick Savage selected a Tokaji 'King's Wine' cask. Tasting notes from the distillery say the whisky has a floral nose and a "rich and fruity" palate. The expression has been bottled at 47.7% ABV, and each of the 289 bottles available has been individually numbered.

This special bottling in honour of King Charles III's coronation is of a whisky that has credentials that are truly fit for a King, as the distillery proudly waits to release this bottle in celebration of this historic occasion. With only 289 bottles available from the single Tokaji wine cask, this release is one of the rarest releases to date for Bladnoch Distillery.

The limited-edition Tokaji 'King's Cask' bottling will be available for purchase at the Bladnoch Distillery and select retailers from 6 May 2023 (recommended price £180). Official tasting notes have not been released either.

 Exclusive Balmoral Royal Lochnagar Coronation Whisky

An exclusive limited-edition Whisky has been unveiled in celebration of King Charles's upcoming coronation. The King’s Aberdeenshire retreat of Balmoral Castle and Estate has announced the launch of its Balmoral Coronation Edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The whisky is drawn from specially selected casks from Royal Lochnagar Distillery, a mile from Balmoral, the Scottish home of the Royal Family and recognises the King’s long and fond association with Royal Deeside.   

The first two bottles, in bespoke cases on plinths of Caledonian pine from the Balmoral Estate, have been presented by Balmoral to HM The King and HRH Prince William, Duke of Rothesay

A further 1000 individually numbered bottles, bearing a gold engraving of His Majesty’s Scottish Cypher, are now available for purchase at the price of £360 per. One bottle will be retained as a commemorative record by the Royal Lochnagar Archive.

Aged 18 years, the whisky evokes the pine forests and grassy, floral nature of the surrounding area and is bottled at a strength of 48%. This references the year Charles was born (1948), and the first visit from Balmoral to Royal Lochnagar by the Royal Family- Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, in 1848. The distillery character shines through, mellowed by a long, gentle maturation in refill casks: European oak butts for richness and an American oak hogshead for sweetness. Only five casks were chosen for this exclusive release, priced at £360 per bottle.

Balmoral is obviously delighted to have worked with Royal Lochnagar Distillery, their neighbour on Royal Deeside, to create such an exceptional whisky for the Balmoral Coronation Edition in celebration of the historic crowning of His Majesty King Charles III. Everyone associated with Royal Lochnagar Distillery is very proud of our roots in the Royal Deeside community.

Royal Lochnagar Distillery: Everything about the plant, especially its two small stills and worm tubs, point to this being a classic, ‘heavy’ 19th-century site. Instead, its distilling team works to make it ‘light’. The wort – from a rake and plough mash tun – is clear, something not easy to achieve. Ferments are long, but it is the way in which the stills and worms are utilised which makes the difference.

Distillation is slow to maximise reflux and the stills’ doors are opened after distillation to allow air in to rejuvenate the copper. Meanwhile, the worm tubs are run warm. All this maximises copper conversation and produces a new make with the aroma of dry grass, a background of fruit and mid-palate depth.

On the nose, delicate notes of orchard fruits, freshly cut grass and orange peel emerge with dried ginger and liquorice; the medium-bodied palate is sweet and malty, with an abundance of fresh fruit, creamy butterscotch and oak spice towards the finish. The makers believe that 48% is also the optimal strength for the perfect balance of flavours; with water, the light, fruity notes become more apparent.

 

 

DEANSTON HITTING NEW HIGHS

 THE DEANSTON TEQUILA FINISH 15-YEAR-OLD

There are many distilleries in Scotland which started life as mills, but none of them had quite the scale of Deanston. This huge plant was constructed on the banks of the fast-flowing River Teith in 1785 by inventor Richard Arkwright who used it as one of the sites for the development of the Spinning Jenny. It also had what was claimed to be the largest water wheel in Europe.

It was the collective efforts of James Finlay & Co, Brodie Hepburn & Co, and A.B (Sandy) Grant, known together as Deanston Distillers Ltd, who converted Deanston Mill into a malt whisky distillery in 1965. The soft, fast flow of the River Teith and a whisky boom in Scotland at the time made the site ideal for whisky production. The distillery was opened on 17 October 1966 after an extensive restoration costing £300,000, employing 20 local people, but taking just nine months. Three floors were removed to make room for four copper stills and a mash tun. The constant, cool temperature of the weaving shed made it ideal for whisky maturation. The only completely new building was the tun room – where eight huge fermentation vessels now stand. When full each of these weighs 60 tonnes and they stand on top of the mill's four tunnels leading from the turbine house back to the river. "All Systems Go" was decared three months later.

Deanston Distillery lies eight miles from the historic town of Stirling, at the gateway to the  Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. It is the largest distillery owned by Scotch whisky producer Distell Group Limited, who also own Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull (1993) and Bunnahabhain Distillery on the Isle of Islay (2003).

It can claim to be one of the greenest distilleries in Scotland. All of its power is generated by a turbine house which processes 20 million litres of water an hour. The excess electricity is then sold to the National Grid.

                      

The distillery was formally opened on 30 January 1967. Deanston started bottling in 1971 and the first single malt was named Old Bannockburn. Teith Mill, a blended whisky, was also produced at this time - a kiosk was set up at Blair Drummond Safari Park which sold Old Bannockburn and Teith Mill in take-away cartons. At this point, although it made business sense to sell Deanston as a single malt, it was mainly produced for blending purposes. In 1971, Invergordon Distillers (bought by Whyte & Mackay in 1990) bought Brodie Hepburn Ltd, with Tullibardine Distillery and a 30% share in Deanston Distillery. A year later, Invergordon purchased Deanston outright and the first single malt bearing the name Deanston was produced in 1974. After a downturn in the whisky industry, Deanston Distillery ceased production in 1982 for eight years, before being purchased by current owners Burn Stewart Distillers Limited in 1990 (now part of the Distell_ Group_Limited).

Deanston Distillery looks very unlike a traditional Scotch whisky distillery and has a number of unique production features which contribute to its distinct character in taste and look. The spirit is handmade by a small team of local craftsmen who rely on traditional distilling techniques; no technology or computers are used. Deanston uses hands-on methods and fermentation takes longer than the norm. This transforms the whisky into the waxy, soft, smooth single malt that they’re famous for.

Deanston uses only Scottish-grown barley and in 2000, was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to start producing organic whisky, certified by the Organic Food Federation and using barley grown in specially selected sites, free from pesticides and chemicals. Before hitting the stills, their crystal-clear wort is created in one of Scotland's only open-top mash tuns with an 11-ton capacity and four unique pot stills with upwards-sloping lyne arms and boiling balls, which help give the whisky its signature light character.

The pot stills are very neat to look at and stand in one line. They used to have a quite respectable size of 20,000 litres (wash still) and 17,000 litres (spirit still), which have since been changed to 17,500 and 15,500 litres respectively. The spirit is matured in the original weaving shed built in the 1830s, which has a capacity of 45,000 casks.

Although single malt bottlings started relatively early (1974), it is only recently that Deanston has been elevated to a front-line single malt brand. Deanston, a Highland single malt distillery produces whisky which is handmade by ten local craftsmen, un-chill filtered, natural colour and bottled at a strength of 46% ABV and higher. 

Most of the whisky distilled at Deanston finds its way into the numerous blends of Burn Stewart, these include but are not limited to:

• Scottish Leader
• Black Bottle
• Wallace Single Malt Liqueur
• Drumgray Highland Cream Liqueur

Only around 15% of annual whisky production is bottled as single malt. The Deanston 12 Years marks the classic entry into the brand. It is flanked by Deanston Virgin Oak – NAS, but completely matured in new barrels; the Deanston 18 year old, which matures completely in ex-bourbon barrels and is then finished in first fill bourbon casks. These are joined by a number of limited edition bottlings emphasising the impact of cask maturation. All Deanston whiskies are released without chill filtration or caramel colouring. The whiskies are bottled, as is generally the case with the Distell Group’s distilleries, at 46% ABV and higher.

Deanston Timeline:

1785: Deanston Mill is established on the River Teith

1964: Brodie Hepburn buys and converts the former cotton-mill creating Deanston Distillery Co. Ltd., subsidiary of James Finlay & Co. Ltd.

1966: Production starts in October 1966

1971: The first single malt is released under the name Old Bannockburn

1972: Sold to Invergordon Distillers (Holdings) Ltd.. Four stills, dark-grains plant

1974: The first single malt bearing the name Deanston is released

1982: Distillery closes while owned by Invergordon Distillers (Holdings) Ltd.

1990: Sold for £2.1 million to and reopened by Burn Stewart & Co. plc from Glasgow

1991: Production resumes

1999: C.L. Financial buys 18% of the stakes of Burn Stewart & Co. plc

2002: C.L. Financial buys the remainder of the stakes of Burn Stewart & Co. plc. 

2009: The 12 year old is relaunched

2012: A visitor centre is opened

2013: Burn Stewart & Co. is acquired by South Africa Distell for £160 million

Deanston - Limited Edition Tequila Cask 15-YO Whisky 70cl | 52.5%  

DISTILLERY	DEANSTON	£94.95
SERIES	Limited Edition
Year Bottled	2023
Age	15 year old
Alcohol ABV	52.5 %
Cask Strength	Yes
Cask Wood Type	Tequila
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Cardboard Tube
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

 Product Description

The first of Deanston's experimental, limited-edition releases. Deanston Tequila Cask Finish celebrates spirit with true highland character. This single malt, from the Scottish Highlands, is matured in traditional Oak hogsheads and finished in hand-selected casks that once held Agave Tequila from the Jaliscan Highlands,

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Fresh. Notes of ripe pineapple, crème Brûlée, mixed nuts and light oak.

Palate: Rich, yet dry on the palate. Bursting with flavours of caramelised agave, toasted almonds, baked apples with custard and warming spice.

Finish: Long finish with brown spice and sweet, citrus bursts.

                         THE CORE EDITION                                                                 THE LIMITED EDITION

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SINGLETON EPICUREAN WHISKIES

 THE EPICUREAN SERIES SINGLETONS FROM GLEN ORD HIGHLANDS SINGLE MALT DISTILLERY

The Black Isle is a peninsula in the Scottish Highlands in Ross and Cromarty. It was noted for being the site of Ferintosh, the four-strong distillery site which, by the early 19th century, had become the heartland of distillation, with moonshiners sharing the land with nine licensed sites.

The distillery at Muir of Ord was built later, in 1838, by the local laird Thomas MacKenzie, who then leased it out to a succession of owners who ran it with varying degrees of success. Things stabilised in 1896 when the Dundee-based blenders Jas. Watson took charge and expanded the site. Watson’s then sold it on to Dewar’s in 1923 and two years later was absorbed into the greater DCL (Diageo) estate.

It is one of only three distilleries currently which are self-sufficient in their malt requirements [the others are Roseisle and Springbank]. Its original floor maltings were replaced with Saladin boxes in 1961, which in turn were removed when the large drum maltings was built in 1968. Today it produces malt for all of Diageo’s northern plants, Talisker and, on occasion, makes heavily peated malt for Islay.

A recent rise in demand (from blenders and as single malt) has seen Glen Ord expanding twice. The first phase saw capacity rise to 5m LPA and the second (completed in 2014) saw that double to 10m LPA.

It has been available as single malt since the 1980s, although under different names: Glen Ord, Glenordie, Ordie, Ord, and Muir of Ord. Diageo has now plumped for Singleton of Glen Ord and is promoting it actively in the Asian market.

THE SINGLETON EPICUREAN ODYSSEY SERIES

Also called The Singleton's most indulgent single malt Scotch whisky series, it is an unparalleled collection of indulgent & multi-sensorial Single Malts, The Singleton Epicurean Odyssey Series was born in the pursuit of amazing taste through pioneering craft and experimentation – a result of The Singleton Malt Master Dr Maureen Robinson’s unparalleled vision. There are just three luxurious expressions, all worked with time-the 40, 39 and 38-year-old.

THE SINGLETON 40-YEAR-OLD

Discover Sensorial Maximalism

Inspired by the decadence of this rare single malt and its indulgent layers of flavour reminiscent of dark chocolate and rich plums, a neuroscientist explored a new concept, ‘Sensorial Maximalism’, where sensorial consciousness can be heightened through the curation of the external environment. In the Epicurean Odyssey Series, Malt Master Maureen Robinson set out to push secondary maturation in experimental casks to the extremes, and then layer on further deliberate enhancements to create their most indulgent whiskies ever. This then prepares us for the most superlative tasting experience possible.

First brought to life at an immersive gallery experience in Shanghai named The Rooms of Maximalism, featuring the works of three international artists, guests journeyed through rooms delivering precise stimulation for the five senses and beyond, to reach this heightened state of ‘Sensorial Maximalism’, before the very first tastings globally of The Singleton 40-Year-Old.

In this last release of the series, The Singleton of Glen Ord 40-year-old pushes the boundaries of taste with an astonishingly bold and pioneering 28 years secondary maturation experiment; finished in ex-Zacapa XO & Royal casks, yielding decadent & velvet dark chocolate. Intensely rich, fruity, and smooth, this decadent single malt has an indulgent nature to please all the senses and is a delight to savour at natural strength. Its silky smoothness leads to a deep, dark indulgence and a spicy finish, delivering a richness of taste to equal any spirit. The 70Cl bottle is at 45.9% ABV.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Deep amber with copper lights.

Body: Light to medium.

Nose: The nose is mellow, with a little prickle at first; fruity top notes hint at dried apple and are soon backed by a more savoury aroma evoking sage, while richer hints of fruit, soon suggesting plums enrobed in dark chocolate, sit on a balancing base of sweetly spicy oak, with light aromas of hard toffee and oak shavings.

Palate: Complex layers of flavour suggest pears slathered indulgently in dark chocolate and caramelised tropical fruits, as with toffee-covered banana and pineapple. Beautifully balanced and super-smooth, with sustained rich, sweet fruitiness balanced by slow-building black pepper. Velvet-smooth dark chocolate tannins herald an appetising drying note.

Finish: Quite long, deep-flavoured and lightly drying, with black pepper spice and another hint of waxy smoke.

DISTILLERY	GLEN ORD	£3,299.95
SERIES	Singleton Epicurean
Age	40 years
Alcohol ABV	45.9 %
Cask Strength	Yes
Cask Wood Type	Rum
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Special Packaging
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

THE SINGLETON 39-YEAR-OLD

This new whisky is the second bottling in the rare super-premium Epicurean Odyssey series from The Singleton range of single malts. The Singleton of Glen Ord 39 years old follows an inaugural release that was bottled at 38 years. Created by Maureen Robinson, this series is based on the inspiration she drew from her travels around the wine-growing regions of southern Europe.

The whisky has undergone a lengthy 27-year period of secondary maturation, which was the longest ever for any Singleton bottling till its successor, the 40YO. After 12 years Robinson split a pocket of stock from the Glen Ord distillery between a number of European oak casks. These had previously held either Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez sherry, Port or red wine. Then 27 years later she has married the whiskies back together for a short finishing period in ex-Bordeaux red wine casks from France.

The Singleton of Glen Ord 39 years old is bottled at 46.2% ABV and is restricted to just 1,695 bottles. It is available through specialist whisky, spirits and luxury retailers in selected global markets, and via www.malts.com. Each bottle will cost £2,295/ $2,680 US.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep golden amber.

Nose: The nose is highly fragrant and expressive. Aromas of spiced Christmas cake and toasted almonds lead the way. These are closely followed by dried fruits (think of raisins, orange and Cognac-soaked sultanas), toffee, caramel and increasingly warming spices and gingerbread.

Palate: On the palate, this whisky has a rich and viscous feel, and is equally as expressive as on the nose. Initial notes of dried fruit (especially plump Cognac-soaked sultanas and candied orange) and crumbly muscovado sugar lead the way. They are joined by a spicy and woody savoury quality. Toasted spices (imagine cinnamon bark, mace and clove in particular, along with hints of star anise and juniper) and tannic oak are prominent and continue to develop nicely. Underneath are further notes of vanilla custard, apple strudel and a suggestion of treacle tart. A pinch of cocoa powder and hints of milk chocolate and preserved lemon round things off.

Finish: The finish is long, warming and luxurious. A pinch of all-spice and ginger accentuates the deliciously fruity and sweet notes. As these characteristics fade it is the woody, spicy and savoury notes that begin to dominate with a hint of salted plums in the aftertaste. The latter is increased by a drop of water, when the whole aftertaste becomes unusually menthol-cool, with perhaps a suggestion of cherry liqueur chocolates. This gives an increasing dryness along with a distinct dusty earthy feel.

Overall: This latest old Singleton is exquisite and is so multi-layered in its flavour profile. To have the foresight and skill to 'finish' a whisky for nearly three decades is also extraordinary. This is fabulous, but clearly not a whisky for everyone given the rarity and price. That said, it is a whisky for someone and we hope that they choose to drink it rather than display it on a shelf or flip it on an auction site. It deserves to be tasted and shared.

DISTILLERY	GLEN ORD	£2,199.95
Series	Singleton Epicurean
Vintage	1982
Year Bottled	2021
Age	39 year old
Alcohol ABV	46.2 %
Cask Strength	Yes
Cask Wood Type	Port
Single Cask	No
Number Bottled	1695
Packaging	Wooden Box
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

 THE SINGLETON 38-YEAR-OLD

The Singleton 38-year-old was crafted during an era that was very exciting at The Singleton — a time of flavour experimentation and innovation across their whisky-making. Selecting new American oak casks was very new for the various experts at that time at the distillery, and they decided on a lengthy secondary maturation to continue to unlock the decadent layers of flavour in this single malt. Cask samples were tasted just three years into the secondary maturation and the experts were struck with how even at such an early stage, they could identify the richness of flavour the new casks had presented.

To mature those casks for more than two decades further was an exploration of how it is possible to unearth exceptional flavour within whisky, and it felt a real privilege to now share this truly delicious single malt with the world.

The presentation case this whisky comes in has a red apple design that’s said to draw inspiration from the flavours of the malt, including warm autumnal spices and caramel. An abstract apple has 26 lines on it that represent the 26 years spent in its second maturation.

As stated earlier, the Epicurean Odyssey Series was born to embody this singular ambition in the pursuit of amazing taste. For the first in the series of this singular pursuit of indulgent flavour, The Singleton 38-year-old delivers a supremely decadent flavour profile based around baked apple caramel drizzle. A vibrant, intensely fruity and powerfully smooth Singleton of Glen Ord, the special liquid has been shaped uniquely by the innovative long secondary maturation and varied casks to create this evocative flavour experience in the true harmonious style of The Singleton. The result is a phenomenal flavour experience that is both elegant and indulgently enjoyable.

The Singleton 38-year-old is a rare and irresistibly rich single malt Scotch whisky drawn from just eight casks from The Singleton of Glen Ord distillery. At 38 years old, this whisky is approaching four decades in the making and only 1,689 bottles have been released of this extra-long double matured whisky. Created to be shared and enjoyed, the Glen Ord 38 Year Old was bottled at 49.6% ABV.

Appearance: Rich, deep amber with copper lights. Outstanding beading and good viscosity.

Body: Full-bodied.

NOSE: Mellow and generous overall. The immediate top notes are rich, fruity, and sweet, with aromas of red apple, mango, pineapple, and candied citrus fruits. These fruity tones are soon succeeded by almond oil and vanilla pod, and later vanilla fudge, on a base of sandalwood. A drop of water opens the nose a little while keeping the same profile.

Palate: At natural strength, a thick, creamy texture and a vibrant, sweet start in which rich opening notes of fudge lead smoothly into a lightly spicy, intense, and fruity taste suggesting cinnamon-spiced baked apple, drying gently into an autumnal peppery warmth that envelopes the palate. Appreciably deeper in taste than its younger siblings, it shows the classic Singleton smoothness, being richly flavoured, well-balanced, and easy to drink straight. The palate opens to reveal hints of orange citrus while with a dash of water, more sweet flavours of vanilla ice cream and caramel fudge are perfectly balanced by just a trace of salt, still with a light touch of that Szechuan pepper warmth.

Finish: Really long; a sweet warmth suffuses the whole palate and leaves the palate tingling as a trace of gingery spice lingers. With water lighter and longer, still leaving the memory of that rich warmth.

DISTILLERY	GLEN ORD	£2,039.95
SERIES	Singleton Epicurean
Year Bottled	2020
Age	38 year old
Alcohol ABV	49.6 %
Cask Strength	Yes
Cask Wood Type	American Oak & European Oak
Single Cask	No
Number Bottled	1689
Packaging	Wooden Box
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Special
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

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