50 Years of Craft Comes to Life with the Glenlivet Winchester Collection

22 Sep 2014 --- The inaugural release of The Winchester Collection: The Glenlivet's first series of rare and precious 50 year old single malt Scotch whiskies. "Vintage 1964" is the first release from this precious collection, anticipated to become one of the most sought after and priceless whisky collections to be released.

"The release of The Winchester Collection sets a new standard in the single malt category of Scotch whiskies. We are excited to share this unparalleled spirit with whisky lovers and collectors alike," said Wayne Hartunian, Vice President, Scotches & Cognac at Pernod Ricard USA. "Vintage 1964, the product of 50 years of craftsmanship, allows us to tell a new chapter in The Glenlivet's rich history."

This October, the first bottle of Vintage 1964 – Bottle No. 1 – from The Glenlivet Winchester Collection will go on sale at Harrods in the United Kingdom. Just 100 bottles of this remarkable Speyside single malt, priced at $25,000 each, will go on sale around the world in limited distribution. An undisclosed number of further releases from The Winchester Collection will then follow, with "Vintage 1966" confirmed to be next in line.

Befitting its price tag, no expense or attention to craftsmanship has been spared in creating the perfect vessel to house it, with every element hand-crafted by artisans from the British Isles, from hand-blown glass, to the inclusion of precious materials such as rose gold and 'Cairngorm Stone'. The spirit inside lays claim to 50 years of unrivalled knowledge, unwavering care and unfaltering craft, which started when decorated war hero, Captain Bill Smith-Grant, the last remaining descendent of The Glenlivet distillery's founder, George Smith – laid down a specially selected cask in 1964. Carefully guarded and cared for by generations of The Glenlivet Master Distillers, this special cask was identified early on as being destined for greater things and has since been slowly and steadily developing the signature flavors that make The Glenlivet an enduring benchmark of quality.

Under the care and guidance of current Master Distiller, Alan Winchester – from whom the collection takes its name – that Vintage 1964 has been deemed ready to be enjoyed by only the most ardent and discerning of single malt connoisseurs.

"This release marks a milestone for The Glenlivet. Casks of this age and quality are such a rare thing these days that I'm immensely proud to introduce the first of these rare vintages of preserved stocks from the distillery's rich past," said Winchester. "They're a testament to our legacy of quality and to those who have nurtured this whisky over the years, including Captain Bill Smith-Grant, who played such a pivotal role introducing our single malt to the world."

The Glenlivet Winchester Collection is available for private purchase. The next release from the collection will be Vintage 1966, the launch date of which has yet to be announced.