GLEN GARIOCH UNVEILS NEW SMALL BATCH RELEASE

1995 expression offers the last chance to sample ‘old’ Glen Garioch at its finest

Glen Garioch, Scotland’s most easterly distillery, has unveiled its latest small batch release, the Glen Garioch Vintage 1995.

The limited edition, only the sixth special addition to the Glen Garioch single malt range, was laid down just months before the distillery was mothballed for two years in October 1995.

With just 1,000 8.4L cases available globally and a limited 100 in the UK, this expression encapsulates the final burst of rich and lightly peated malt produced at the distillery before its temporary closure.

Kirsteen Beeston, Head of Brands Marketing, said: “The aim with all our limited edition expressions is to showcase the distillery’s special quality of liquid, and the 1995 is certainly no exception.

“This vintage is the last to capture the old Glen Garioch peaty notes and has been matured entirely in first fill bourbon barrels for over 16 years.

“It’s a classically complex Glen Garioch; rich, full, robust and comes with a smooth velvety texture that accentuates its warm and spicy taste.

“Glen Garioch may be a small artisan distillery but our enduring spirit, honed over the last 200 years, means that we’re well versed at turning out distinctive single of exceptional quality.”

On the nose, the full flavour of the 1995 expression is heightened by an array of rich oak spices, with notes of spiced mocha and muscovado sugar turning more buttery when water is added. The end result is a wave of warm and spicy flavour with layers of baked banana, toffee sauce, mocha chocolate and warm golden syrup.

Rachel Barrie, new master blender for Morrison Bowmore, said this latest vintage reminds her of her roots, sitting in her grandmother’s kitchen in Glen Garioch’s closest town Inverurie.

She said: “This really takes me home to Inverurie, my gran’s kitchen was always filled with the smell of pancakes and maple syrup, honey drizzled waffles and apple strudel. These warm, spicy flavours are true Glen Garioch.”

This unique small batch release calls upon some of the last ever barley, malted and peated on site at the Oldmeldrum distillery. Following a short period of silence between 1995 and 1997 production was resumed without the use of the 200 year old malt barns, making this a rare vintage for single malt fans.

With its proud Doric history, the Aberdeenshire malt captures the enduring and couthie spirit of the Highland town of Oldmeldrum.

Barrie added: “With limited availability in the UK, and based on the blistering success of our previous small batch releases, whisky aficionados will need to be quick out of the blocks.”

At 55.3% ABV, Glen Garioch 1995 is available from specialist wine and spirit merchants, retailing circa £55. It is distributed by Cellar Trends in the UK.

Notes

• Glen Garioch, pronounced Glen Geery, founded in 1797 is one of the oldest remaining distilleries in Scotland
• The distillery lies on rising ground at the picturesque town of Oldmeldrum, just 17 miles north-west of Aberdeen
• Glen Garioch was relaunched in 2010 with a core range of two single malt whiskies – the Glen Garioch 1797 Founder’s Reserve, a non chill-filtered single malt bottled at 48% ABV and the Glen Garioch 12 Year Old, non chill-filtered single malt bottled at 48% ABV after maturing in bourbon and sherry casks.
• Glen Garioch is owned by the Morrison Bowmore Distillers Limited who also produce Bowmore and Auchentoshan
• Glen Garioch is distributed by Cellar Trends in the UK, tel: 01283 217 703.