The Speyside region in Scotland is second to none when discussing whisky-making provenance. When the first legal distillery licenses were made available in the early 1800s, The Glenlivet’s founder George Smith was the first to receive one, a decision that proved to be wise despite many naysayers at the time who thought his application for a license would be the demise of illicit distilleries. They were correct, and since 1824, Glenlivet has grown to be one of the most popular and beloved in the world. Atop Glenlivet’s core range of whiskies are the 21-Year-Old and 25-Year-Old bottles, both highly sought after by collectors and lodestones of the Speyside region.
Now, The Glenlivet is opening up its whisky range to a new line called the Sample Room Collection, a pair of bottles that take two top-shelf expressions and experiment with them a little bit. The 21-Year-Old single malt derives its new complex and balanced profile from its triple-finish in first-fill Oloroso sherry, Trancais oak Cognac, and vintage Coheita port casks. This brings out notes of caramelized pear, sultanas, and warm ginger, with nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices getting imbued from the Cognac cask influence.
Next, the 25-Year-Old single malt, which some would say has already achieved an air of perfection, has been double-finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry and Troncais oak Cognac casks. The palate will experience an intense yet silky profile of fig and orange brought about by the sherry cask, along with ginger, oak, pineapple, and other warm spices from the Cognac cask.
In an industry that prides itself on prestige and tradition, The Glenlivet is playing by its own rules, but one could say that’s how spirits came to be in the first place. The Sample Room Collection bottles are expected to be available this July. Keep an eye on the distillery’s website for more information.
