Glenfiddich unveils 50 Year Old single malt

Glenfiddich has unveiled its latest limited edition expression – the Glenfiddich 50 Year Old.

Only 50 will be released world wide each year for the next 10 years from a stock of just 500 bottles.
 
For half a century, two casks of whisky have aged gently in the semi-darkness of Glenfiddich’s Warehouse 8, under the watchful eyes of the industry’s longest-serving malt master, David Stewart.
 
Peter Gordon, the current chairman and great-great-grandson of distillery founder William Grant, said: “Our independence enables us to do things differently and focus on the liquid above all else, a sentiment embodied in the flawless quality of this single malt.
 
“We’re happy to wait as long as we need to – up to fifty years in this instance – to produce the perfect whisky.

“The Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is the pinnacle of our whisky-making excellence and epitomises my great-great grandfather’s vision of creating the very best dram in the valley.”
 
He added: “Staying true to the pioneering spirit of our founder, William Grant, who laid down stocks of whisky for future generations to enjoy, we have consistently planned ahead and have more aged stock than any other distillery.

“Our whisky spends years being carefully matured in our warehouses, with each additional year imparting light and elegant notes to the liquid. Every new year is important when it comes to making exceptional whisky – and Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is the ultimate expression of this pioneering foresight.”
 
Design cues for the packaging have been researched from archives that record the distillery’s 120 year history; the hand-blown bottles are individually numbered and presented in beautifully hand-stitched, leather-bound cases, which were inspired by William Grant’s personal ledgers.
 
Nestling next to the bottle, a leather bound book details the whisky’s history and provides pages for owners to record personal tasting notes for each occasion they enjoy their whisky.

A certificate is also included within the case which has been hand-signed by four of the distillery’s long-serving craftsmen who, between them, have spent 160 years at Glenfiddich keeping a watchful eye as this whisky has matured. On return to the distillery, the certificate will also be hand signed by Peter Gordon.
 
Each bottle is decorated in Scottish silver, crafted by Thomas Fattorini, a sixth generation silversmith, and imprinted with William Grant & Sons’ own hallmark.
 
Glenfiddich 50 Year Old will be available in the world’s most prestigious airports for the next two months, before a strictly limited number travel from the distillery to select retailers and high-end establishments around the world. It will sell for £10,000 per bottle.

Alan Lodge, 05.08.2009