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The Glenlivet launches oldest single malt whisky to date
By Shivani Dubey | 26 September 2024 | Food & Drink
The Glenlivet has launched its oldest whisky to date containing a piece of art created in collaboration with computational architect Michael Hansmeyer
The Glenlivet has launched its oldest whisky to date — The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, First Edition 55 Year Old — a single malt whisky created in collaboration with computational architect Michael Hansmeyer.
Comprising just 100 bottles, this whisky was crafted from a seasoned sherry cask in a blend created by The Glenlivet’s team of cask experts and carefully matured over more than five decades. This is the first edition of the Glenlivet Eternal Collection, with each new edition being co-crafted with a new artist.
Kevin Balmforth, The Glenlivet cask master, describes the taste experience as “a medley of autumn fruits” with sun-drenched Seville oranges and sticky dates combined with the spiced scents of cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose. On the palate, there are flavours of homemade blackcurrant jam and vanilla fudge, balanced with zesty citrus notes.
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“Thanks to decades of collaboration from our team of cask experts, past and present, the introduction of The Eternal Collection represents a monumental moment for whisky connoisseurs and luxury appreciators to add a pivotal piece of scotch whisky legacy to their collection,” says Kevin.
“It epitomises The Glenlivet’s commitment to excellence within Scotch innovation as we continue to push to creative new heights in single malts,” he adds.
Michael Hansmeyer created the sculpture within which this bottle sits. With hand-sculpted jesmonite and rose-gold plating, it houses the spherical decanter of the 55 Year Old. The sculpture takes inspiration from the home of The Glenlivet — specifically, the River Livet that flows in Spey Valley, which is the birthplace of this distillery.
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Speaking of creating the sculpture, Michael says that the idea of “experimenting with new possibilities” is what created a harmonious collaboration with The Glenlivet.
“Weaving threads of intelligent technologies to create something that escapes conformity and classification to celebrate such an aged whisky has been a thrill,” says Michael.
“I created this sculpture as a tribute to the complexity of The Glenlivet’s oldest expression and the rugged beauty of the distillery’s Scottish landscape, capturing the spirit of where innovation meets tradition,” he adds.