Glenlivet to launch rare collection of 50YO Scotch

The Glenlivet is to become the first Scotch whisky brand to release an exclusive collection of rare 50-year-old single malt whiskies, titled The Glenlivet Winchester Collection.

Vintage 1964 will be the first exclusive single malt Scotch whisky released as part of The Glenlivet Winchester Collection

The inaugural release in the range will be The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1964, of which there will be just 100 bottles available globally at an RRP of £18,000 (US$25,000).

Bottle No.1 will be sold first at London’s prestigious department store, Harrods, from 1 October before being released in various global markets, including America, Taiwan and China, two weeks later.

Named after The Glenlivet’s current master distiller, Alan Winchester, the whisky was first put into casks for maturation in April 1964 by Captain Bill Smith-Grant, the last remaining distilling descendent of founder, George Smith.

“This release marks a milestone for The Glenlivet,” said Winchester. “Casks of this age and quality are such a rare thing these days that I’m immensely proud to introduce the first of these rare vintages of preserved stocks from the distillery’s rich past.

“They’re a testament to our legacy of excellence and to those who have nurtured this whisky over the years, including Captain Bill Smith-Grant, who played such a pivotal role introducing our single malt to the world.”

The Vintage 1964 is described as offering aromas of fruity pear and peach nectar, sweet raisins, dark chocolate with a honeycomb sweetness, with tastes of pears, oranges, black cherries, toffee and caramel on the palate leading to an “exceptionally smooth and luxurious” finish.

Vintage 1966

While the total number of single malts to be released as part of the collection is yet to be confirmed, the next release will be Vintage 1966 at a later date that is “up to Winchester to decide”.

“We are very lucky to have the inventory to create a collection of whiskies as special as these,” commented Phil Huckle, UK brand ambassador for The Glenlivet. “The reason we are not doing a uniformed release of 50-year-old whiskies right now is that Alan Winchester will decide when he thinks the whiskies will be at their optimum, and that will be when the next ones are released.”

Having recently missed out on becoming the second Scotch whisky brand to pass the million case mark, Huckle said he believes The Glenlivet has the potential to be the number one brand in the world.

“The Glenlivet is a quality premium product and in a few years time maybe we’ll be talking about being the number brand not number two,” he explained. “This release is a halo effect for the luxury craftsmanship you get with The Glenlivet. The rest, I am sure, will take care of itself.”