Unveiling the Last Precious Drops:

Littlemill 2017 Private Cellar Edition 

Whisky connoisseurs and collectors from around the world will have a rare opportunity to acquire a single malt from an extinct distillery thought to be one of the oldest in Scotland.

Littlemill has released Littlemill 2017 Private Cellar Edition – a new limited edition whisky celebrating the last precious drops of single malt from the distillery.

Rumoured to be one of the oldest in Scotland, and possibly even the world, the Littlemill distillery has a long and fascinating history. Officially established and producing whisky legally from 1772 in Bowling on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow, the distillery fell silent in 1994 and was subsequently destroyed by fire in 2004, never to produce a drop again.

As a result there is now a very limited amount of Littlemill single malt left and the spirit of the distillery lives on in a series of sought-after expressions. Priced at £2,250, Littlemill 2017 Private Cellar Edition is the second in the series celebrating this rare whisky. It offers aficionados the opportunity to acquire a piece of Lowland Scotch whisky history.

The latest release comprises 500 individually numbered limited edition bottles encasing the precious 27 Year Old whisky in the Littlemill Lowland style. Each opulent decanter is presented in a luxurious case which also features a unique piece of Littlemill cask used to mature this rare malt, as well as a miniature of the precious whisky itself.

Littlemill’s rich history includes a number of owners over its lifetime and it was notably one of the first distilleries to have a female licensee, Jane MacGregor, in 1823.  In the 1930s, the distillery was known for triple distillation before moving to the more traditional double distillation now associated with Scotch whisky.

In 1931, under the stewardship of the American Duncan Thomas, Littlemill was at the forefront of still innovation with technical designs that could create three styles of single malts from full-bodied to light. These innovative stills provided the inspiration for the Loch Lomond Distillery, which was opened in the 1960s.

To create the edition, Master Blender, Michael Henry selected eight casks from 1990 to pay homage to the true Littlemill distillery character; creating a lighter, floral spirit, reminiscent of the triple distillation of the Duncan Thomas era.

Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Distillery, said: “It is rumoured that illicit distilling took place at the Littlemill distillery from 1750 and even for centuries before, possibly making it the world’s oldest whisky distillery.

“It’s a tragedy that the distillery fell silent and was later destroyed by fire, committing Littlemill to legend. Once the last precious drops are consumed, an important part of Scotland’s and Scotch whisky’s heritage will be lost forever. A sip of Littlemill 2017 Private Cellar Edition is more than just a memorable pleasure; it is a unique and historic experience and the spirit of the distillery and its innovative stills live on at the Loch Lomond Distillery today.”

Littlemill 2017 Private Cellar Edition has been crafted from casks with the strongest floral character and subtle wood notes from distillations between 11^th and 19^th May 1990. The casks were filled at 68.8% strength, allowing them to retain more of the distillery character throughout the maturation in refill bourbon barrels. Ageing in refill bourbon barrels gave a softer wood influence and once selected the casks were married in fresh bourbon barrels for 12 months before bottling.

Rare amongst the Lowland malts in using a Highland water source, as well as peat from Stornoway and Perthshire, Littlemill whiskies are renowned for a subtly floral, vanilla-rich sweetness.

Littlemill 2017 Private Cellar Edition follows Littlemill 2015 Private Cellar Edition.  In the UK it is available to buy at most independent specialists including The Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange, Royal Mile Whiskies and Master of Malt and it will also be available in global markets, including Taiwan, France, Germany and Travel Retail.

For further information visit www.lochlomondgroup.com

Littlemill 2017 Private Cellar Edition Tasting Notes

• Nose – Green herbal notes of peppermint and eucalyptus lead into natural perfumed floral bursts of honeysuckle and lavender.  Cedar wood elements give structure.
• Taste – Vibrant fruit is prominent with a background soft, subtle sweet character.  Mouth-watering crisp green apple, zesty grapefruit and tart juicy pineapple are followed by green tea notes and a delicate clover honey sweetness.
• Finish – Warming spice of stem ginger and nutmeg liven the tongue before a long peppermint and sugar syrup finish.

About the Loch Lomond Group:

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning spirit brands that are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whisky since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

About the brands: 

Littlemill:

• The Littlemill distillery was officially established in 1772 on the site of an old brewery that had been founded during the 14th century in Bowling on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow.
• It is rumoured that illicit distilling had taken place there since 1750 when the site was bought by George Buchan, a malt master, and according to the renowned whisky historian and writer Misako Udo in her book ‘The Scotch Whisky Distilleries’ distilling may have taken place there for many centuries before, possibly making it the world’s oldest whisky distillery.
• Littlemill fell into perpetual silence in 1994 and then the distillery was destroyed by fire in 2004.
• In 1931 Littlemill led whisky still innovation whereby its innovative design could create three styles of spirit under the stewardship of the American Duncan Thomas. It was these stills that provided the inspiration for the Loch Lomond Distillery that was commissioned in 1964 and commenced production in 1966.
• In 2015 Loch Lomond Group commenced the new Littlemill Private Cellar Edition.
• Twitter / Instagram: @LittlemillMalt, Facebook: @Littlemillwhisky 

Other brands from the Loch Lomond Group:

• Loch Lomond Whiskies including Loch Lomond Signature, Loch Lomond Single Grain, Loch Lomond Original, Loch Lomond 12 Year Old, Loch Lomond 18 Year Old, Inchmurrin 12 Year Old, Inchmurrin 18 Year Old, Inchmurrin Madeira Wood Finish, Inchmoan 12 Year Old and Inchmoan 1992 Vintage.

www.lochlomondwhiskies.com Twitter: @LochLomondMalts Instagram: @lochlomondmalts

• Glen Scotia Single Malt Scotch whisky www.glenscotia.com Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts
• Glengarry Single Malt Scotch whisky
• High Commissioner Blended Scotch whisky
• Glen’s Vodka / Glen’s Platinum Vodka A S E