Craigellachie to give away 51yo whisky for free

Bacardi-owned Craigellachie is set to launch its oldest whisky to date – 51 bottles of a 51-year-old single malt that will be given away for free.

Only 51 bottles of Craigellachie 51 have been created – and will be given away for free

Dubbed the “world’s most uncollectable whisky”, the liquid was distilled on 22 December 1962 and has spent 51 years maturing in a refill Bourbon oak cask before it was put into glass in 2014 at 40.8% abv. After decanting the liquid into 51 glass bottles, Craigellachie 51 today stands at 40.3% abv.

Malt master Stephanie Macleod described the whisky as having notes of “distinct umami” as well as the “muscular note that Craigellachie is known for”.

Georgie Bell, Bacardi global malts ambassador, said: “We wanted to do the unthinkable. We wanted to make a typically collectable Scotch more accessible.

“We want to give as many people as we can the chance to try this incredible whisky because how often does a whisky of this age and calibre actually get tasted?

“I am so excited to have about this cask and project. To have the opportunity to shatter the norm and shatter the expected is really, really exciting.”

Over the next 12 months, Craigellachie 51 will be made available for whisky lovers around the world at bespoke tasting events in four key markets: the UK, South Africa, Australia and the US.

The global tour will kick-start next month in London with a Craigellachie pop-up in Milroy’s of Soho, called Bar 51, before travelling to the other markets throughout 2019.

Only 150 tickets will be available for free on a ballot basis and online registration will open at 9am on Monday 29 October. Those who have been successful in securing tickets will be notified a week before the event. Applicants must be of legal drinking age in each country.

To register for the chance to drink Craigellachie 51, visit craigellachie.com/bar51.