The search for cask number 10

Published Oct 16, 2012

Share

The GlenDronach is one of the most charming and old fashioned distilleries in Scotland.

According to a press release, it was built in 1826 by group of local farmers and businessman, led by James Allardice who the 18 Year is now named after. The GlenDronach Distillery changed hands a number times over the years until it was sold to William Teacher & Sons in 1960.

GlenDronach was extended from two to four stills in 1966/67, and when Allied was split up in 2005, Teachers went to Fortune Brands, and The GlenDronach Distillery to Pernod Ricard / Chivas Brothers. In 2008 Pernod Ricard sold the distillery to Billy Walker of Benriach Distillery Company.

Each year Master Distiller, Billy Walker, specially selects a handful of individual casks from the warehouses at the GlenDronach Distillery to be bottled as the GlenDronach 'Limited Release'. With maturing whiskies dating back as far 1968, there is a vast selection of Barrels, Hogsheads, Puncheons and Butts to choose from. Each of these casks displays truly remarkable characteristics, the malt contained within having developed exceptionally during the long maturation process.

Billy has worked with Scotch whisky for almost 30 years and he has been involved in blending and cask selection, understanding maturation, how casks behave and the individuality of the casks, just to name a few.

He will be in South Africa to host the BenRiach and GlenDronach workshops in the Durban and Johannesburg shows at the FNB Whisky Live Festival.

Billy has also handselected the anniversary 10th edition Whisky Live Festival special bottling - a must-have collector's item.

David Wyllie, Keeper of the Quaich and Chief Operations Officer, describes the process of selecting this special edition whisky:

“Having checked through our vast inventory, and sampling several possibilities, I noticed that there was a single and very special original oloroso cask with the number 10, well hidden in our warehouses.

“Now the arduous task of pin pointing it within one of our dunnage warehouses began. Once located and brought out into the light for the first time in over 19 years, a sample was drawn and the excitement truly began. We were blown away with the nose immediately and the first tasting was magnificent. We knew this one, had to be the one.

Please join us at this year's festival where you will personally get the opportunity to purchase and fill your own numbered bottle and meet us on stand. Availability is, as with any single cask, limited and rare, so don't miss out!”

* The FNB Whisky Live Festival is in in Durban from 1 to 2 November at the Durban International Convention Centre and ends in Johannesburg from 7 to 9 November 2012 at the Sandton Convention Centre. The festival will be open between 18h00 - 22h00 daily.

* Visit www.whiskylivefestival.co.za for more information

* Please follow us on Twitter @WhiskyLiveSA and on Facebook /FNBWhiskyLiveFestival

+ The FNB Whisky Live Festival promotes responsible drinking. No persons under the age of 18 years old will be allowed into the Tasting Hall, and designated driver tickets are available. Discounted food vouchers and a bottle of Valpre mineral water are included in the ticket price, and taxis will be on hand to ensure that everyone in your party is able to have a good time.

Related Topics: