Burn Stewart launches £3,500 42YO Scotch

Burn Stewart Distillers has launched just 500 bottles of its “rarest and oldest” expression of Ledaig Scotch whisky to date – a 42-year-old single malt with a £3,500 price tag.

Just 500 bottles of Ledaig 42 Year Old single malt Scotch have been released

Ledaig 42 Year Old is non-chill-filtered and is said to offer flavours of dark chocolate, coffee and cherry liqueurs with spicy ginger and black peppercorn overtones, leading to a very long, salty, smoky finish.

Named Dùsgadh, meaning “awakening” in Scottish Gaelic, the limited edition release was first distilled on the Isle of Mull at the Tobermory Distillery but has retained its “deep, peaty intensity” over its four-decade ageing period.

The expression was aged in several casks, before Burn Stewart master distiller Ian Macmillan transferred the liquid into Gonzales Byass oloroso Sherry casks in 2001.

“I’ve been distilling for almost 40 years and the smoky aroma retained in Ledaig 42YO is the highest I have ever come across in a 40YO island whisky,” said MacMillan.

“It’s the intricate and unusual process that has allowed this liquid to keep its strong, peaty characteristic.

“under close supervision and moving homes, this liquid has been allowed to develop into a truly unique malt.

“The precious copper that released the first spirit in 1972 has reached the end of its distilling life and has produced exceptional vintage malt, which I am looking forward to sharing with an exclusive group of whisky lovers across the globe.”

The packaging of Ledaig 42YO is inspired by copper from the retired stills, which first produced the new make spirit in 1972, and includes a handcrafted copper card, which entitles the buyer to inherit a bottle of Leading 10 Year Old from the last distillate of the retired stills, which will not be available until 2025.

Bottled at 46.3% abv Ledaig 42YO is available in international markets including the UK, North America and Asia, and carries an RRP of £3,500 per 700ml or 750ml bottles, which also includes the 10YO bottle to be received in 20 years.