This past fall, scotch distillery The Glenlivet made some news when it released its oldest whisky to date, a 55-year-old single malt. A few months later, the Speyside distillery is dipping its toe back into the world of ultra-aged scotch with the announcement that it is adding the oldest whisky to date to its core range, a 40-year-old single malt. We got a first taste of this expensive new expression, and it’s a good one.
The Glenlivet, which is owned by French drinks company Pernod Ricard, is one of the most popular single malt brands in the world, often neck and neck with Glenfiddich in terms of sales. The core range consists of a few non-age statement expressions, and single malts ranging in age from 12 to 21 years old, some of which are finished in rum barrels, sherry butts, or Cognac casks. Then there are unique expressions like Fusion Cask, which was finished in custom-built barrels assembled from pieces of bourbon and rum casks.
“The Glenlivet 40 Year Old represents more than four decades of dedication and craftsmanship from our team,” said cask master Kevin Balmforth in a statement. “It’s thanks to the efforts and foresight of my predecessors who laid down the foundation of this whisky 40 years ago that we’re able to showcase the trailblazing spirit of The Glenlivet with the introduction of such a special and highly aged permanent expression during such a monumental year.”
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The new Glenlivet 40 spent four decades aging in a combination of American and European oak. It then received a lengthy two-year secondary maturation in custom barrels from Jerez, Spain that were seasoned with a “bespoke blend” of oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherries to add a burst of flavor to the liquid. As mentioned earlier, we were able to sample the whisky before its launch, and it’s a complex and delicate sipper that is a lovely addition to the core range. The nose and palate lead with big tropical fruit notes, followed by a mix of flavors like candied orange, aged Cognac, pine needles, grapefruit, faded wood smoke, cola, and molasses. And at 46.9 percent ABV, there’s a nice bit of heat and spice on the finish.
Although this whisky is a permanent addition to the lineup, it’s still a pretty limited release given its lengthy age statement with just 280 bottles coming to the U.S. at $6,000 apiece. If you’re interested in trying this new whisky for yourself, it will be available from the Glenlivet’s website and from Total Wine’s concierge program. You can also find the rest of the portfolio available to purchase at websites like ReserveBar now.
