Whisky 1901 launches limited edition Glenburgie 1988 - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com (2024)

To showcase the quality of the casks in its portfolio, leading whisky cask investment company Whisky 1901 is launching its first award-winning bottled Scotch – a rare Glenburgie 1988 single cask expression (70cl/45.1% ABV) from the Speyside distillery.

This is the first, or Editon One, of what will become the company’s independent bottling line, known as ‘The Collection’.

The series will be added to at regular intervals, as and when Whisky 1901’s Keeper of the Quaich discovers casks within the company’s possession that are worthy of the brand name.

Only 263 numbered bottles are available from Glenburgie no.14483, an ex-bourbon cask distilled 4^th October 1988. The highly collectable 35-year-old Scotch will retail at £1325 including VAT per bottle.

It will be formally introduced to the Scottish market on 22^nd June at The Renaissance, Edinburgh, and offered for sale at The Game Fair, Blenheim Palace, London, on 26^th-28^th July, where Whisky 1901 is an official partner. The hand bottling process took place in the company’s Glenrothes warehouse facility in Fife, Scotland, on 17th May 2024.

Ahead of the launch, The Collection has already been awarded three medals of excellence from leading whisky industry experts. Edition One of The Collection has been awarded a Silver medal from The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a Gold medal from the Global Scotch Whisky Masters, run by The Spirits Business Magazine, and a Bronze award from The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

Single malt Scotch produced by Glenburgie, or ‘valley of the fort’ from Scots Gaelic, is rarely seen on the market. Owned by Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky division of Pernod Ricard, Glenburgie is more commonly used by a selection of blended Scotch brands.

Whisky 1901’s new bottle addresses the growing global demand for limited bottlings or rarer single cask expressions amongst Scotch enthusiasts. Founder and CEO of Whisky 1901, Aaron Damiano Sparkes, explains, “With single cask bottling, no two casks are ever the same. Each is a snapshot in time of the distillery, its surroundings and production processes, plus the type of cask and wood type that the spirit has matured in, creating an exclusive one-of-a-kind masterpiece”.

Commenting on The Collection launch, Aaron said, “As a keen whisky enthusiast, I have enjoyed many a dram in many a situation. The variety of Scotch is astounding and left me wondering – can I uncover and share some of these hidden whisky gems that are waiting to be discovered in all four corners of Scotland?”

“And after two years in planning and development, we’re very excited to launch our first bottled Scotch, a Glenburgie 1988 single cask expression. This bottle launch sees us bring several years’ experience in the cask investment sector to the independent bottling market.

“At Whisky 1901 we have established strong relationships with an extensive network of distilleries. This has fuelled my personal passion for Scotch whisky and ignited my desire to share it with other enthusiasts. This is what has inspired ‘The Collection’. We carefully selected the diverse single casks for our collection, to show Scotch whisky at its very best, beginning with this wonderful and rare offering from Glenburgie.”

Commenting on the flavour and profile, Matt Chambers, Keeper of the Quaich, said, “This vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky is vibrant gold in colour. Aromas of vanilla and butterscotch lead the way and sit alongside luscious and juicy tropical fruit such as peach and pineapple.

“Underneath are further aromas of green apple, hazelnut praline and crème brulee. Hints of earthy spice, especially white pepper and cinnamon, linger in the background, as does toasted oak and faint aromas of candle wax and blackcurrant.

On the palate this whisky feels soft and oily in texture. The mouthfeel is superbly structured with plenty of body, depth, and complexity. Fruity notes are to the fore with peach compote, apricot jam, and crisp green apple evident. Further sweetness is provided with notes of milk chocolate, vanilla fudge, and toffee.

“There are also hints of golden syrup, blackcurrant leaf and tarte tatin. Savoury elements add balance in the form of delicate baking spice, especially cinnamon and clove, and gingerbread. A pinch of cocoa powder accentuates further notes of charred oak and dusty cigar box.

The addition of water softens the whisky and allows the lovely oak structure and quality of aged spirit to shine. Think of vanilla ice cream covered in butterscotch sauce now. It also feels less spicy with more green fruit and grassy characteristics coming through.”