As September rolls in, the Scotch whisky world bustles with excitement, with brands unveiling a host of new offerings after lengthy periods of careful development. With the festive season on the horizon, many distilleries are keen to capitalize on the anticipated boost in sales.
This year’s September 2024 followed this pattern, presenting a remarkable selection of new releases. Notably, there has been a marked focus on rare, luxury, and premium whiskies, making it a hallmark month for collectors. Here, we highlight the standout options that cater to discerning whisky enthusiasts willing to make an investment.
Benromach | 50 Years Old
Benromach, an esteemed Speyside distillery known for its independent ownership, is celebrating the release of a remarkable 50-year-old single malt — one of its oldest creations to date. This whisky has been quietly maturing in the distillery’s warehouses since the early 1970s and is bottled at a natural cask strength of 54.6% ABV.
Housed in a handblown glass decanter crafted by Glasstorm, a Highland hot glass studio, this unique bottle features a distinctive battuta technique, ensuring that each decanter is one of a kind. With only 250 decanters made available globally, this rare spirit is truly special.
Tasting notes reveal initial impressions of grilled pineapple and orange peel, transitioning to stewed orchard fruits (notably apple and apricot), hints of aged leather, and a delicate wisp of soft, sweet peat smoke. Exquisite.
Available at The Spirits Embassy
Glenallachie | 35 Years Old
Since its acquisition seven years ago, Glenallachie has garnered a devoted following thanks to its focus on exceptional quality, particularly with its ex-sherry cask offerings. The release of their oldest official single malt to date further cements this reputation.
This delightful whisky is derived from just six ex-bourbon barrels, which were later transitioned to a mix of ex-sherry casks (three Pedro Ximenez and one Oloroso) along with two new American oak barrels.
Created by the legendary Billy Walker, a Master Distiller with over 50 years of experience, this whisky showcases richness, decadence, and a velvety texture. The extended finish yields a wealth of dried fruit, milk chocolate, and nutty flavors — including raisins, sultanas, and candied orange paired with cocoa powder, walnut, and hazelnut praline.
Additionally, savory notes of sandalwood, baking spices, and a hint of an old cigar box contribute to an utterly stunning profile.
Available at The Strong Water Co.
The Glenlivet | Eternal Collection: First Edition 55 Years Old
To commemorate its 200th anniversary, The Glenlivet has introduced its oldest bottling to date: the Eternal Collection: First Edition 55 Years Old. This whisky boasts a maturation period in a single ex-sherry cask dating back to the late 1960s, overseen in recent years by Kevin Balmforth, the distillery’s Cask Master.
Encased in an opulent spherical decanter, this whisky resides within a striking sculpture created by computational architect Michael Hansmeyer. With only 100 units available, this rare offering will be distributed in select global markets.
Bottled at a natural cask strength of 42.2% ABV, the flavor profile presents poached pear, hazelnut, and vanilla fudge, further layered with hints of zesty orange, dark chocolate ganache, and fresh gingerbread. This whisky is undoubtedly a masterpiece.
Available at The Whisky Exchange
Laphroaig | Strong Characters 33 Years Old
Laphroaig, the renowned Islay distillery, celebrates the introduction of its Strong Characters range of limited-edition single malts with the premiere bottling: the Laphroaig Strong Characters 33 Years Old.
This series honors significant figures in the distillery’s history, beginning with co-founder Donald Johnson, and features striking monochromatic illustrations from acclaimed British artist Bill Bragg on its packaging.
The whisky has spent over 30 years maturing in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon barrels and European oak ex-sherry hogshead casks, resulting in a complex array of tasting notes that showcases remarkable depth. Expect flavors of vanilla crème brûlée, stewed rhubarb, smoked mackerel, and manuka honey, all enveloped in Laphroaig’s signature medicinal peat smoke.
Delicate hints of drying seaweed, creamy fudge, and salty sea spray round out this exceptional offering. Truly an instant classic.
Macallan | 1990 33 Years Old Komorebi Edition
Joining the September releases, The Macallan has also made a splash with its stunning new Time: Space release as part of its 200th anniversary. However, a more discreet yet equally rare gem might be found in the independent bottling from the celebrated East Asia Whisky Company.
This expression, inspired by the Japanese concept of komorebi, which refers to “sunlight filtering through trees,” was distilled in 1990 and matured for 31 years in a single ex-bourbon cask, followed by two years within a Japanese mizunara oak cask.
The exquisite bottle, crafted by Glencairn Crystal, beautifully embodies the idea of komorebi with an intricately engraved silver oak blossom branch adorning the decanter and a graceful stroke of paint on the back. Hand-finished by skilled artisans, there are only 100 decanters in existence.
The tasting notes highlight flavors of vanilla custard, bitter orange oil, and clove intertwined with milk chocolate and chamois leather.
