This 29-year-old single malt is the best new Scotch whiskey of the year

The GlenDronach Distillery has just unveiled its oldest single malt offering of the year. Kingsman edition is a super premium expression consisting of liquid from one distilling season in 1989. The release new month is tied to the upcoming action movie, The King’s Man, directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Ralph Fiennes. This is exceptionally exciting news for Scottish connoisseurs out there. Or at least it should be. Let us explain why.

If you are not yet familiar with this Highland producer from Huntly, Scotland, it is well past time for you to catch up. The GlenDronach produces some of the most sought after sherried malts on the planet. Earlier this year, they snapped headlines with the latest rendition of their now legendary 15-year-old Excitement. It took top honors as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where it was called ‘Best in Show Whiskey’ – across all categories of the brown spirit.

The price might be fresh, but the prestige is hardly anything new. For almost 200 years, this distillery has been celebrated for its particularly rich mint. The home style – deep, lasting notes of overripe dark fruit – is the result of prolonged ripening, in the first place, in ex-sherry butts. This latter label is perhaps the Platonic ideal of that particular methodology.

Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie sought a distinctive set of six boxes from a renowned vintage. She actually claims to have enlisted the help of the film’s director for the striving. The liquid on which they landed, spent the better part of three decades in Oloroso’s sherbet fats, and got a definitive finish amidst the sweeter embrace of PX-waiting rods. It was poured into the bottle in 2018, and radiates a brilliant burgundy sheen.

‘Working closely with Matthew [Vaughn]”I have selected cabinets of the most exceptional character for this rare 1989 Vintage, with smoky aromas of dark fruits and sherry-waiting walnuts, vintage leather and cedar wood,” explains Dr. Barrie.

The long notes on the tail of the swallow are what really sets this drinking experience apart. Blackberry, tobacco, and candied plum dance around for days like that.

And her unusual age statement is no coincidence. The oldest bottle of whiskey at The Glendronach is a 29-year-old label from 1913. Three friends each bought their own glass of the liquid before flying to the Great War. They promised to open up together at a joyful reunion. Unfortunately, opportunity never materialized; but one made it back. He never shortened his bottle, and his family returned it to the distillery, where it remains sealed to this day.

“This expression is deep in meaning, and a tribute to fallen friends who fought bravely during WWI,” Barrie confirms. Unfortunately, only 3,052 bottles with hand-labeled 50.1% ABV scotch will make their way around the world by 2020. Even at a suggested retail price of $ 1000, you would not expect them to remain on shelves beyond their September 1 arrival date ; this will be catnip for collectors and connoisseurs.

There is a solid consolation price in the form of the brand’s flagship 12-year-old expression. Of course, it’s not nearly as complex nor expressive as its Kingsman counterpart. But it still evokes the same PX and Oloroso impact – and at a fraction of the price. At $ 50, it is perhaps one of the most reasonably priced ants in all of Scotland. And no matter what bottle of GlenDronach you pour into the glass, disappointment is never included in the tasting notes.

“There’s an important line that says, ‘reputation is what others think of you, character is what you are,'” Vaughn says. “The Kingsman Agency as The GlenDronach Distillery is perfect. I hope Kingsman fans around the world will enjoy this single malt as much as I enjoyed working with Rachel Barrie and The GlenDronach to make it happen.” , sherried malt, then there could not be much of it dat.