For a model nearly 200 years of age, change is nothing new to such establishments; in spite of everything, embracing change is without doubt one of the keys to a broader horizon. For 198-year-old whisky maker The Glendronach, armed with the promise of a greater tomorrow, change has come within the type of a facelift spearheaded by Scottish-born photographer and director John Rankin Waddell, in any other case mononymously referred to as Rankin. Whereas he’s greatest referred to as a portrait photographer whose topics embody Anya Taylor-Pleasure, Zendaya, Jay-Z, and the late David Bowie and Queen Elizabeth II, embarking on The Glendronach’s rebranding undertaking “Elevate Expectations” was thrilling for Rankin.
“I simply cherished the preliminary concept. I do know the whisky sector properly and this felt genuinely completely different and thrilling to me. I additionally thrive off creating cultural collisions and discovering magnificence within the tensions they carry, plus, as a Scot by start, the thought of bringing flamenco to the Highlands stirred ardour in me that I simply couldn’t resist.” says Rankin.
In case you are questioning why flamenco was talked about, it has to do with The Glendronach’s founder James Allardice’s whisky-making model — maturing Highland-style whisky with the affect of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks sourced from bodegas of the Andalucian area of Spain. Rankin enlisted the assistance of solo Spanish and flamenco dancer Rocio Dusmet Orellana to The Glendronach, situated within the “Valley of the Brambles,” to movie the “Elevate Expectations” marketing campaign video. Wearing a flaming purple gown and juxtaposed with the distillery grounds, Orellana signified the presence of sherry, whereas her charming and flamboyant choreography symbolised the complexity sherry imparts in the course of the whisky maturation course of.
Grasp Blender Rachel Barrie on the grounds of The Glendronach
In addition to the video, The Glendronach’s visible aesthetics have additionally undergone a facelift. Followers of the whisky will likely be fast to identify the departure from the two-piece label to a one-piece, single-colour label. There’s additionally a brand new bottle form to flaunt. What has not modified are the time-honoured strategies and the dedication to mature whiskies within the best Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks launched by James Allardice, now upheld by legendary Grasp Blender Rachel Barrie.
“For me, The Glendronach is a shock, a revelation and a flavour crescendo. At first style, it has this amplification that’s a lot richer than your expectations, and our philosophy is simply that – to lift expectations in Single Malt by creating essentially the most distinctive sherried whisky. And we are actually setting a brand new commonplace to match the beautiful nature of the spirit with reimagined visuals,” shares Barrie. “Rankin’s signature model labored harmoniously in magnifying the luxurious and flamboyant nature of The Glendronach. He has superbly captured the fragile steadiness of custom and creativeness inherent in our single malt, encapsulating the duality of sturdy Highland spirit and Spanish aptitude—a balanced dance. The tip result’s daring, and it crescendos to a revelation in flavour; identical to the liquid.”
The Glendronach’s anchoring 12 12 months Outdated, 15 12 months Outdated, and 18 12 months Outdated expressions are the noble trio chosen to trailblaze this new daybreak for the model underneath the “Elevate Expectations” marketing campaign that launched in Singapore in late August 2024. The timing couldn’t have been higher because it comes after the San Francisco World Spirits Competitors (SFWSC), broadly thought to be the head of awards competitions within the liquor trade. This yr, all three expressions maintained their SFWSC prestigious Double Gold awards (awarded to spirits that obtained a Gold Medal ranking by each judging panel member) from 2023.
12 12 months Outdated
Whereas the 12 12 months Outdated is the youngest age expression of the trio, it makes a robust entrance into The Glendronach’s core vary with its 43% abv content material. As with most sherry oak whiskies, the wealthy amber-red gold-coloured 12 12 months Outdated begins candy with a bouquet of sherried autumn fruits hints peppered with chocolate praline, gingerbread and sun-dried raisin notes. Sipping the whisky brings forth a special dimension as caramelised bramble, silky orange and sultana envelope the palate with warming spice and, as Barrie remarked in her notes, “The Glendronach Aged 12 Years is the embodiment of distillery character, with distinctive complexity and steadiness.”
15 12 months Outdated
Right here, issues get extra fascinating because the 15 12 months Outdated, like its older 18 12 months Outdated brother, shares the identical 46% abv content material. These within the know would recall its notorious discontinuation in 2015 resulting from inventory points however fortunately reintroduced once more in 2019 in positive style after claiming the “2020 Finest in Present Whisky” title on the SFWSC. Its vintage coppered golden hue is obvious from the three further maturation years that convey forth an intoxicating burst of maraschino cherry, ripe bramble, and darkish chocolate mint with hints of orange bitters and walnut liqueur. Style-wise, the 15 12 months Outdated displays honey-glazed apricot and ripe fig with a crescendo of black cherry, angelica and muscovado. “The Glendronach Aged 15 Years is exquisitely refined in character. Elegant and intricately advanced, with luxurious depth and the full-bodied richness for which The Glendronach is so revered,” notes Barrie.
18 12 months Outdated
We lastly arrive on the crescendo of flavour with the 18 12 months Outdated expression, an age assertion typically hallmarked by an exponential burst of depth and complexity. “The Glendronach Aged 18 Years is an opulent expression of nice stature, with the total depth of Oloroso sherry cask maturation. Exceedingly wealthy and intense, with an countless velvet end,” remarks Barrie of the vintage bronzed amber-hued whisky. Wafts of deep aromatics from fudge and darkish muscovado sugar fragrance the nostril whereas advanced layers of fruit compote and morello cherries await to be discerned. The primary few sips reveal a wealthy, darkish, seductive side of the whisky earlier than a medley of stewed fruits and allspice married with classical aged Oloroso and toasted walnut bread and chocolate orange come alive on the palate.
Beginning this September, whisky fanatics can savour the distinctive core vary of The Glendronach via unique collaborations with choose eating places and bars, together with Enclave Restaurant & Bar, The Foyer at Intercontinental, Synthesis, Nook Nowhere, and extra, for a restricted time solely. Fret not do you have to miss out on this chance, because the expressions can be found instantly from Brown Forman’s Shopee web page or Malt Wine Asia’s web site.
This text was first seen on Males’s Folio Singapore.
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