Glenlivet unveils The Glenlivet 55 in Honour of their 200th Anniversary

All hail: Calling all whisky connoisseurs and luxury appreciators wanting to add a pivotal piece of Scotch whisky legacy to their collections. The Glenlivet distillery, home to some of the rarest single-malt Scotch whisky, has raised the bar with the release of The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, First Edition, 55 Year Old, its oldest single malt vintage in honour of the brand’s 200-year anniversary.  

As befits the scarcity and provenance of such a historic release, only 100 bottles of the limited-edition single malt can be purchased – at a retail price of EUR50,000 – and orders are limited to one bottle per customer. 

However, for the most discerning of cognoscenti, a one-off, The Glenlivet 55 Year Old, 200th Anniversary Edition, 1 of 1, (bottled at 42.8%, a higher strength than the house’s standard 55 Year Old release) is a unique whisky and decanter, with a plinth created by computational architect Michael Hansmeyer, and will be auctioned as a bespoke single whisky lot by Sotheby’s from October 18 to November 1, 2024. To register early interest in the one-of-one auction, click here. All proceeds will benefit National Trust for Scotland, which is dedicated to conserving Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage.  

The distinctive 200th anniversary 1 of 1 decanter, is etched in gold and accompanied by a one-off sculptural artwork adorned with 24-carat gold plating and pavé set with 37 Peridots on a pure silver cowl and enamel decoration. Espousing the same spirit of innovation that defines The Glenlivet, Hansmeyer sought design inspiration from the essence and flow of the salmon-rich, crystal-clear waters of the River Livet, deep in the Spey Valley, where founder George Smith established the first licensed distillery, The Glenlivet, in the parish of Glenlivet in 1824, and spent much of his early days defending it from smugglers.   

This defining 55 Year Old single malt marks the First Edition of The Glenlivet Eternal Collection – a new range of covetable whiskies being released annually. Future iterations, each taken from a single cask, will be aged for one additional year and accompanied by an original art form crafted by a visionary artist.  

Kevin Balmforth, The Glenlivet Cask Master responsible for directing the final maturation of the 55 Year Old, crafted from a seasoned sherry cask, describes the taste experience as “a medley of autumn fruits, sun-drenched Seville oranges and sticky dates enveloped, alongside warming flavours of vanilla fudge and homemade blackcurrant jam, balanced with zesty citrus notes on the palate.” And the long, evolving finish leaves a delightful dry and spicy note with a touch of warming clove spice.

Prestige Hong Kong attended the unveiling of The 55 Year Old during the 200-year anniversary dinner celebration at The Glenlivet’s iconic Speyside distillery in September. We sampled the 18 Year Old, the 21 Year Old, and then came the 55. On our palate, the warming whisky suggested dark chocolate and even crystallised ginger, before it reached its crescendo. The 55 Year Old’s finish is distinct, complex and dazzling, an extended, sensory standing ovation of Speyside elation, which fortunately by night’s end, the majority of appreciators still were. Love it, Glenlivet. Slàinte!

The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, First Edition: 55-Year-Old in collaboration with Michael Hansmeyer, will be available through LeCercle by Pernod Ricard for RRP €50,000. Find out more about this special release from the Pernod Ricard Private Client Management team at [email protected].