THE GLENLIVET LAUNCHES 50 YEAR-OLD WHISKY AT £20,000

October 2016 will introduce the second release from The Glenlivet Winchester collection, Vintage 1966. The pinnacle of the Glenlivet range, the series of rarefied 50 year-old single malt whiskies have been crafted over generations, matured over decades and hidden within the walls of the Glenlivet distillery. With only 100 bottles of this rare and precious liquid in existence across the globe, the historic Scotch will be priced at £20,000 and sold in the equally luxurious setting of Harrods for its UK launch.

Created by The Glenlivet Master Distiller Robert Arthur in 1966, and subsequently guarded by the Master Distillers of The Glenlivet, it is released today under the guardianship of Alan Winchester. The Vintage 1966 joins Vintage 1964 to become one of the most sought after and exquisite whisky collections in the world, representing the legacy of generations of craftsmen that honours the past, celebrates the present and looks to the future. 

Vintage 1966 was identified early on as being destined for greater things and has since been slowly and steadily developing the signature flavours that make The Glenlivet an enduring benchmark of quality. The trademark soft, sweet, sumptuous complexity is layered by a delicate spice – a teasing intermingling of cinnamon and liquorice – and offers an exceptionally long, smooth finish, with a pleasing hint of dryness. 

This commitment to craft runs through The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1966 experience: The Glenlivet commissioned Brodie Nairn of acclaimed studio Glasstorm, to produce a hand blown glass bottle around the concept of water, paying homage to The Glenlivet’s Gaelic translation of ‘Valley of the Smooth Flowing One’, with elegant lines lending gentle movement to the sculpted glass. Designer silversmith Richard Fox made the gold stopper set with a smoky quartz Cairngorm Stone – specially selected to echo the richly dark liquid of Vintage 1966. While esteemed wood craftsman, John Galvin made the beautiful cherry wood cabinet that houses the whisky. The entire piece is a roll call of some of the finest craftsmen in the world working today.

Alan Winchester comments: “The release of Vintage 1966 marks another milestone for The Glenlivet Winchester Collection. Casks of this age and quality are such a rare thing these days, that the resulting single malt is literally liquid history in a glass. I’m immensely proud to release this wonderful whisky, which has been cared for and crafted over generations.”

Rick Bennett-Baggs, Marketing Manager for The Glenlivet, said: “The release of the second chapter of The Winchester Collection, Vintage 1966, has set a new benchmark in single malt Scotch. This truly unique liquid of luxury excellence brings together the craftsmanship of four figures over the past 50 years to celebrate their dedication, passion and expertise.”