Family-owned distillery Glenfarclas is releasing a 60 year old single malt. Dating back to 1959, only 105 bottles of this whisky are being released to the market. The whisky is bottled in a hand-blown Glencairn Crystal Decanter, set within a hand-crafted presentation box designed by Royal Warrant Holder, NEJ Stevenson. For John Grant, 5th generation and current Chairman, this is a once in a lifetime whisky; he was a young boy in 1959, in his last year at the local primary school, when his father put this whisky into a Sherry Hogshead cask in which to mature over the next 60 years.
The year 1959 did not start well for Glenfarclas. At 2.00am on 1st January 1959 the Stillman on duty had rather overindulged in Hogmanay celebrations and forgot to open a valve on the wash still; the result was almost catastrophic. When the valve was opened, the heat and volume of liquid broke the spirit safe and boiling alcohol escaped everywhere. Fire hoses stopped the alcohol igniting, but most of the wash had to be replaced. The insurance company ‘suggested’ that the distillery might cease operations over Hogmanay in the future; they have closed thereafter over Christmas and New Year.
The Single Malt
Tasting Note by George S Grant, 6th generation and Sales Director
- Cask: 1820 Sherry Hogshead
- Strength: 40.9 ABV
- Number of Bottles: 105
- Colour: A rich, dark golden whisky
- Nose: Christmas cake steeped in Glenfarclas, spice, orange and dark chocolate.
- Taste: Christmas flavours continue on the palate; Christmas Pudding drenched in brandy butter and set alight. A silky-smooth dram with rich, dark spice in the mouth.
- Finish: A wonderful complex dram that oozes flavours of marzipan and Christmas sherry. A traditional, old-style Glenfarclas
The Decanter
For this historical project, it was only fitting to work with fellow family-owned Scottish business, Glencairn Crystal, the ultimate manufacturer of bespoke crystal and glass.
The Glenfarclas 60 Year Old decanter is produced from the highest quality 30% lead crystal, renowned for its ultra-clarity to allow the full colour and richness of the whisky to shine through. Each decanter is truly one of a kind, individually hand blown, and hand cut by some of the world’s most skilful glassblowers.
The decanter features hand drawn illustrations inspired by the iconic red warehouse doors at Glenfarclas Distillery. The illustrations are hand engraved and in-filled with a mixture of red and copper. The red plated brass on the collar and stopper has been applied by hand and polished by expert jewellers.
The Box
A whisky of such rarity and distinction demanded the expertise of Royal Warrant Holder, NEJ Stevenson. Neil Stevenson has had a lifelong passion for fine woodwork and since founding his company NEJ Stevenson, has secured a position as one of the world’s foremost creators of bespoke specialist joinery. Indeed, it is this attention to detail which earned the company the honour of becoming cabinetmakers to Her Majesty the Queen.
This presentation box has been hand crafted from English oak and lined with suede to create a keepsake worthy of the whisky inside.
Glenfarclas 60 Year Old will be released in October 2020.
