LITTLEMILL ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE NEW ‘VANGUARDS COLLECTION‘AND UNVEILS THE FIRST EXPRESSION ‘VANGUARDS CHAPTER ONE‘
The Vanguards Collection will celebrate the pioneers behind Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery
Chapter One, the first of four annual releases, is a remarkable 45 Year Old single malt
Luxury packaging includes an original artwork from British artist, Vic Lee, reimagining the original license granted to Littlemill to produce whisky, marking the start of an incredible story in history
Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, Littlemill, has unveiled its latest annual release, The Vanguard Collection – Chapter One, an incredible 45 Year Old whisky drawn from the oldest and rarest reserves of the extraordinary Lowland distillery, which fell into silence in 1994.
The release was distilled on the 11th of October 1977 at the original site in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, using Littlemill’s patented straight-neck copper pot hybrid stills, which were first introduced in the early 1900s, an innovation of their time then and today.
The liquid was stored in refill American Oak casks before a final five-year finish in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead. The result is a wonderful single malt boasting honey, elderflower, and nutmeg on the nose, with a silk-like mouthfeel of melted brown sugar, vanilla, and fresh fruits, before a long finish full of citrus flavour and caramelised sugars.
This traditional choice of finishing wood, personally selected by Master Blender Michael Henry, is meticulously documented in the distillery’s records and complements the delicate floral nature of this Lowland malt.
Bottled at cask strength of 50.5% ABV and natural colour, only 250 individually numbered bottles are available worldwide, priced at £12,500.
Vanguard Chapter One is the first of four new expressions in The Vanguard Collection, which will be released annually, each partnering with a global artist to pay homage to the trailblazers who shaped Littlemill’s story by overturning traditions, innovating with technology and processes, and leaving an undeniable legacy.
The first expression is dedicated to Robert Muir who was granted the first license to ‘retail beer, ale, and excisable liquors’ from King Geoge III in 1773. It is potentially the first time whisky distilling was officiated and was certainly the beginning of a remarkable story in the world’s whisky industry.
This moment will be remembered through a new collaboration with British artist, illustrator, and wordsmith, Vic Lee, who has been transcending the art world for the last ten years with his iconic and intricate approach to penmanship. Vic has worked with some of the UK’s most loved and forward-thinking brands, including McLaren automotive, Nike, Atkin Guitars, Brompton Bikes, and The Tate Modern.
Using traditional screen printing, Vic has created 250 cotton paper artworks which reimagine the original license through contemporary illustrations including Littlemill’s original stills and warehousing, and the trade ships on the River Clyde in Scotland, nodding to the bustling international exporting of the time.
Printed on beautiful off-white cotton paper, the bespoke artwork, hand finished in Indian grey ink for individuality, will be encased in a stunning handmade ash display cabinet, handcrafted by Littlemill’s most trusted carpenters and woodworkers.
Inside is an exquisite handblown Glencairn crystal decanter with delicate cuts in the glass, inspired by a traditional writing quill which would have been used by Robert Muir to sign the original license. A glass portal in the cabinet door provides a window through time to Vic Lee’s hand-finished artwork, each individually hand signed and numbered by Vic and Master Blender, Michael Henry
Each cabinet also houses a branded 50ml miniature and a hardback book of the Littlemill story, so the very few lucky custodians of this exceptional single malt can explore and enjoy Scotland’s most fascinating whisky tale with an exquisite dram.
Founded in 1772 in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, Littlemill was at the forefront of innovation for its time. It was lost to a fire in 2004 and since then, Master Blender, Michael Henry, has held guardianship of the last remaining rare casks, drawing on the limited reserves for the first Vanguard Collection release.
Michael Henry, Master Blender of Loch Lomond Group, said: “Littlemill’s was Scotland’s first licensed distillery, but the journey thereafter is what makes it remarkable. It’s legacy is defined by unsung heroes and quiet trailblazers at its helm.
“These vanguards of their time were overturning traditions in production, innovating with still designs and craftsmanship, and quietly leaving their fingerprints on Littlemill and the wider whisky industry. Much like Littlemill itself, these individuals passed into history before their contribution could ever be applauded, but their influence lives on in these last precious casks, which I am lucky enough to have under my personal care and custodianship.
“This creation of the first in The Vanguard Collection has been a fascinating process, as we have gone back to explore again the wonderful history of this intriguing whisky distillery. Robert Muir is a pioneer of his time, and this latest release is a celebration of that.
“Quite unlike anything else, Littlemill is a beautiful summer whisky, with characteristics of gentle vanilla and floral notes on the nose, with the sweetness of honey and creamy fudge, accompanied on the palate by classic Lowland fresh fruits. It’s a unique and special character, which we work hard to preserve without compromise.”
Vic Lee, artist, said: “Working closely with Michael and the team, we sought to create something bespoke and unique that could accompany each exclusive bottle. The artwork had to respect the original license from 1773, and through a detailed and time-consuming approach, I drew upon historic penmanship and printing methods, while applying my own contemporary feel.
“There is so much beauty in works and letters; they can incite so much emotion and understanding of a period of time, which was exactly what was required for this remarkable Littlemill launch.”
Vanguard Chapter One will be available for purchase via enquiry through the Littlemill website and other specialised retailers. For further information visit www.littlemilldistillery.com.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Honey, elderflower, pineapple, kiwi, roasted hazelnuts, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Palate: Silk like mouthfeel, melted brown sugar, vanilla, crème brûlée, crisp apple, ripe pear, freshly squeezed lime juice, dried fruit – sultana and citrus peel.
Finish: Long with notes of grilled grapefruit and sweet caramelised sugars, all balanced with sharp citrus.
About Littlemill
The Littlemill distillery was 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 Buchanan, 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 centuries before.
After one year, on the 2nd of November 1773, local Justice of the Peace records for Dumbarton show that ‘Robert Muir of Littlemiln’, an employee, was granted the first-ever license by the Government of King George III to “…retail ale, beer and other excisable Liquors.”
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 inspired the stills that remain in place at Loch Lomond Distillery today.
Littlemill fell into perpetual silence in 1994 and then the distillery was destroyed by fire in 2004. The remaining casks have been under the care of Loch Lomond Distillery since, stored just a short distance away from where the original distillery once stood. In 2015 Loch Lomond Group released a limited number of its Littlemill Private Cellar Edition. Since then, a mere handful of bottles have been released annually, which have become sought after by collectors and whisky enthusiasts.
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https://www.littlemilldistillery.com/
About Vic Lee
Vic Lee is an award-winning artist, author, muralist and wordsmith. From his studio in Peckham, South London, he has created artwork commissions for the world’s biggest brands. His signature style of black and white, intricately weaving his love of typography and detailed elaborate flourishes, has become well recognised. From painting onto the bodies of supercars to huge storytelling murals, Vic’s passion is clear in the art he creates. His work has been included in school and university curriculums, inspiring the next generation of creatives and is passionate about his art, sharing his journey at events and talks across the World.
For 35 years, Vic has honed his skills in penmanship, always choosing to use water based products to have less effect on the planet. His murals, which can span 12m in length, are hand painted in pen, the waste from a typical mural no bigger than a matchbox. Much of his work is imagined as he paints, rarely knowing how the final piece will look, as will his clients too.
About Glencairn
The award-winning Glencairn Crystal Studio has been at the cutting edge of high-quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades. Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family-run Scottish company has hand-crafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.
The team of experienced craftspeople at Glencairn Crystal, some of whom have over 30 years of experience in working with crystal, are world experts in pioneering glassware design techniques and unrivalled in their talented craftsmanship. The company also produces The Glencairn Glass, the world’s favourite whisky glass, with five million glasses being sold every year in every corner of the globe.
