The Glenlivet 55 Year Old

The Glenlivet 55 Year Old is the oldest single malt whisky ever released by the Speyside distillery. It is the inaugural release in the Eternal Collection, a sequence of five annual limited editions intended to celebrate the distillery's 200th anniversary in 2024. Founded in 1824 by George Smith, The Glenlivet was the first legal distillery in the parish and has grown to become the top selling single malt in the United States and the second largest globally. Today, the distillery is owned by the Chivas Brothers subsidiary of the French spirits group Pernod Ricard.

Spirit Description

This precious expression was crafted from a seasoned sherry cask and matured for more than half a century. It is presented at a natural cask strength of 42.2% ABV.

• Colour: Information not explicitly provided, though its long sherry cask maturation typically imparts deep, rich amber tones.

• Aroma: The nose opens with a gentle sweetness of poached pears and autumn fruits harmonised with zesty Seville oranges and sticky dates. These notes are grounded by toasted hazelnut, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

• Palate: It delivers deep flavours of homemade blackcurrant jam, vanilla fudge, and dark chocolate, balanced with zesty orange and crystallised ginger. A touch of warming clove spice provides a complex finish to the palate.

• Body: The spirit is described as deep, warming, and meticulously balanced, transcending generations through its complexity.

• Finish: The finish is exceptionally long and evolves through distinct layers of fruit and spice before culminating in a subtle, dry, and spicy warmth.

Accolades

As an ultra rare release limited to only 100 bottles globally, The Glenlivet 55 Year Old is primarily recognized for its historical significance and unique artistic presentation.

• Artist Collaboration: The spherical decanter is housed in a hand sculpted jesmonite sculpture with rose gold plating, designed by computational architect Michael Hansmeyer.

• Charity Milestone: An inaugural bottle of this series sold for £63,000 at auction, with proceeds benefiting the National Trust for Scotland.

• Heritage Tribute: The expression has been lauded as a meticulously crafted tribute to the distillery's 200 year legacy of tradition and innovation.