This review of some of the most recently release whiskies takes us on something of a magical mystery tour. Throughout the journey we’ll stop at the ‘serpentine’ north east cost of Scotland, the island of Madeira, and a wondrous place called Whiskyland.

Continuing the adventure, we’ll discover a new collection of 50 year old whiskies from Speyside and an exciting, cross-continental collaboration honouring one of the whisky industry’s pioneering characters.

BALVENIE

Balvenie have launched the inaugural expression in The Fifty Collection, a planned trilogy of 50 year of single malts.

The first release in the series is a 1973 vintage bottled at 52.3% ABV after maturing in a single European oak cask for more than century. Harrods have exclusively sold the bottle since the beginning of August and a wider rollout is expected to follow in September. Those interested in owning this piece of whisky history can expect to pay around £42,500 for a bottle.

For more information about the Balvenie 50 year old and the other proposed releases, check out our article “Speyside Distillery Launches ‘The Fifty Collection’”.

COTSWOLDS & MILK AND HONEY

English whisky producer Cotswolds have partnered with Israel’s Milk and Honey Distillery (M&H) to create a limited edition blended malt whisky celebrating the late Dr Jim Swan.

Dr Jim Swan as one of the industry’s most influential figures, particularly in the field of maturation. He pioneered the use of STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) cask technique and developed techniques for producing rich and complex flavoured whiskies from young spirits. Much of his late career was spent working with upstart distilleries. Cotswolds and M&H are among those who owe a lot of their success to Dr. Swan’s influence.

This blend is drawn from specially selected casks from the two distilleries and showcases notes of pears, juicy plums and rich figs. Only 700 bottles have been produced and are retailing for £125.

DECADENT DRINKS

The bottlers behind the famous Whisky Sponge releases have launched their latest series with an impressively well-aged Springbank.

Chapter 1 of the Whiskland series is a 1998, 26 year old Springbank that spend those years maturing in a single sherry butt. A mouthwatering prospect that promises notes of tobacco, dark fruits and Sprinbank’s trademark coastal salinity.

Decadent Drinks suggest Whiskyland will be a carefully curated range of whisky that encourages drinkers to drop their preconceived expectations of a dram as the bottler guides us through “the ups downs ins outs and aroundabouts of Whiskyland”. Typical stuff from the eccentric bottler then.

The first chapter is also said to be the first of a hundred bottle release. Whether those 100 other expressions are a promise or one of Decadent Drinks’ playful exaggerations remains to be seen.

GLENGLASSAUGH

Glenglassuagh have followed up their recent rebranding with The Serpentine Coastal Cask Collection, a trio of whiskies all over 45 years old.

The youngest is a 1974 vintage matured in a single Aleatico red wine barrique. Aged 48 Year old, bottled at 46.1% ABV and showcases notes of blackberry, lychee and passionfruit.

A 49 year old malt follows. This expression was distilled in 1973 and spent its 49 years maturing in a single bourbon barrel. Expect notes of exotic fruits, cream and sea breeze.

Rounding out the trilogy is the elder statesman of the group: a 1972 vintage, 51 year old edition. Bottled at 44.2% after maturing in a single oloroso puncheon, this whisky will offer notes of sun-dried raisins and sandalwood on the nose with blackberry jus and salted treacle on the palate.

While the ages of these whiskies are certainly eye-catching, where they lay resting is equally important. As master blender Rachel Barrie states, “it is extremely rare to find casks that have been left to mature in coastal locations for such a long period, and our warehouses, perched on cliffs overlooking Sandend Bay, have acted as the custodians of this old and rare liquid for over five decades.” Indeed, this range takes its name from the snake-like coastline near where the distillery is based.

Finally, these whiskies are great value for the age. For example the 51 year old is expected to retail for around US$11,000, which is almost a steal for a 50+ year old Scotch.

GLENMORANGIE

Tain-based Glenmorangie have revealed two new whiskies for their travels email line-up: Vindima and Aureum.

Vindima is a 16 year old expression named after the grape harvest festival on the island of Madeira. Fittingly, the whisky was finished in Malmsey casks, a type of wine made from the sweetest Madeira grapes.

Aureum is the Latin word for gold. As such, Glenmorangie bestowed the Aureum title to a stunning 21 year old malt whisky noted for its honeyed gold colour. According to the brand, the bourbon cask matured whisky ‘evokes the warmth and luminosity of a mid-summer’s day’.

Both whiskies are bottled at 43% ABV and are available now at Glenmorangie’s boutique at Heathrow airport. The Vindima is priced at £90 and the Aureum at £215.

KILKERRAN

New releases from Glengyle are always highly sought after and the latest Kilkerran was no exception.

A 17 year old Kilkerran was recently released by the Campbeltown distillery. A 2007 vintage matured in a single sherry cask, this expression was bottled at 57.3% and limited to a mere 312 bottles. In terms of flavour, soft peat smoke on the nose is met by raspberry jam and fudge on the palate with a sweet, smoky finish.

You had to be quick to get your hands on a bottle; most retailers sold out in a matter of minutes upon this whisky’s release!

MACALLAN

Macallan haven’t released a ‘new’ whisky as such, but rather unveiled the latest edition from one of their best-loved collections.

The Classic Cut range launched in 2017 and represents one of Macallan’s six pillars, ‘the finest cut’. Each edition is bottled at the Macallan Whisky Makers selected strength and showcases the artistry between Macallan’s spirit and their specifically selected casks.

The 2024 Classic Cut is the eighth edition of the series. It has been crafted from whisky drawn from a variety of sherry seasoned European and American oak, and ex-bourbon casks. The result is an exquisite malt that boasts a profile of baked custard and fresh green apples balanced by oaky spices.