NUMBER ONE DRINKS TO REPRESENT “THE EXCEPTIONAL”

US based spirits specialist, Sutcliffe & Son has teamed up with Number One Drinks to supply specialist whisky retailers across UK and Europe.

Don Sutcliffe, managing director of Craft Distillers, and Willie Phillips, former managing director of The Macallan have joined forces to create a series of exemplary small batch Scotch whiskies, THE EXCEPTIONAL by Sutcliffe & Son.

THE EXCEPTIONAL small batch bottlings are expertly created from a selection of aged whiskies, carefully chosen from several different Scotch distilleries, including rare casks from closed distilleries. Once crafted the whisky is gently married over time, finished in the finest first-fill Oloroso sherry casks.

The first consignment of whiskies will be available in three expressions, The Exceptional Grain (3^rd Edition), The Exceptional Malt (2^nd Edition) and the Exceptional Blend (1^st Edition). Due to the individual nature of the cask make-up, each edition of THE EXCEPTIONAL has distinctive characteristics. The Scotch grain and malt whiskies are all bottled at 43% ABV.

Don Sutcliffe comments; “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the Number One Drinks team to introduce The Exceptional in the UK!  Everyone to whom I spoke recommended we reach out to Marcin Miller for sound advice regarding the UK (in fact the world) whisky market.”

Willie Phillips believes “the timing is perfect to be introducing THE EXCEPTIONAL in Europe.” Adding; “European consumers are knowledgeable in the progression of Scotch whisky. Our whiskies are blended to be distinctive expressions, using exceptional casks of mature Grain and Malt whiskies, each bottling to express nuanced elegance and complexity.”

Don and Willie formed a lasting friendship when they met over 25 years ago. Sutcliffe, who was instrumental in the development of The Macallan in the US, being largely responsible for the success on the west coast and Phillips, the former managing director of the iconic Macallan Distillery for 23 years had always envisioned a future project together. With unparalleled access to some of the finest casks of whisky in Scotland and enlisting the help of master blender, Bill Arthur, their early ambition has come to fruition with the development of THE EXCEPTIONAL.

Marcin Miller, managing director of Number One Drinks said of the new partnership “Sutcliffe & Son are the perfect fit for our portfolio and we look forward to introducing these outstanding whiskies to enthusiasts across the UK and Europe.”

The first two batches were very well received in the US, meeting with critical acclaim and selling out swiftly.  All expressions will retail at £86 per bottle.

www.one-drinks.com

Notes:

Tasting notes:

Spanning four decades, the component whiskies for each edition of THE EXCEPTIONAL bottlings are selected for their individual (yet complementary) attributes, to create a harmonious whisky of layered complexity and great depth.

THE EXCEPTIONAL GRAIN 3^rd Edition 43%

A selection of remarkable casks from North British, Loch Lomond, Strathclyde, Cameronbridge and Carsebridge distilleries, blended and married in first-fill Oloroso Sherry butts.

First nosing suggests lemon meringue and toffee apple, followed by apple, cinnamon, cranberry and tablet on the palate.  The finish is long and lingering with notes of apple pie, cream and butterscotch.  

THE EXCEPTIONAL MALT 2^nd Edition 43%

An extraordinary range of mature casks, including Glenfarclas, Ben Nevis, Balvenie, Kininvie, Glenfiddich, Alt-a’Bhainne, Auchroisk, Glenallachie, Westport, Speyside and (of course) Macallan distilleries, blended and married in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts.

Opening nose and palate are effusive with honeyed Christmas cake, tangerine, dark cherry and aniseed. The mid palate evolves into raspberry crumble with intriguing notes of tarragon and spice. The finish lingers with notes of sherry, toffee cream and a returning hint of anise.

THE EXCEPTIONAL BLEND 1^st Edition 43%

An exemplary  selection of mature grain and malt casks from North British, Strathclyde, Cameronbridge, Glenfarclas, Ben Nevis, Balvenie, Kininvie, Glenfiddich, Alt-a’Bhainne, Auchroisk, Glenallachie, Westport, Speyside and (of course) Macallan distilleries, blended and married in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts.

Initial nose is all crème caramel and orange marmalade, evolving on the palate to include wild strawberry and vanilla cream.  The finish is long and lingering with notes of shortbread, orange peel and a whisper of herbal mint.