Glenturret 15 years 1986 Cadenhead's Bourbon Hogshead - One of 312 - bottled 2002 (Brown)

Scotland, Southern Highlands. Distillery operational. Owner: Lalique Cristal

The old adage “good things come in threes” is particularly apt when it comes to the Glenturret distillery. Indeed, its birth certificate could legitimately feature three dates: 1814 with Thomas McComish, before its closure during the 1850s; 1875, when Thomas Steward renamed his Hosh distillery Glenturret; and, finally, 1959-1960, when James Fairlie fully renovated the site and reopened the distillery. After a short period with the French company Cointreau, it eventually joined Highland Distillers (Edrington Group) and now makes an important contribution to the Famous Grouse blend. Despite its modest production, Glenturret has garnered something of a following among malt whisky enthusiasts thanks to the magnificent vintage editions (1966, 1967, 1976) launched in the mid-80s, alongside the distribution of its also popular classic versions. From the early 2000s, numerous single casks and small batch versions were added to the range, making Glenturret a collectors' distillery.

A Glenturret single cask distilled in 1986, matured in a bourbon cask and bottled in 2002. Cadenhead's was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead then joined the company and, when George Duncan died in 1858, took over and renamed the business after himself. William’’s nephew Roberth Duthie developed the company in the early 20th century and it remained a family business until 1969. William Cadenhead Ltd was then sold to the Springbank distillery’’s owner J. & A. Mitchell and Co. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendent of Archibald and John Mitchell, became William Cadenhead Ltd’’s CEO. In the past, Cadenhead had mainly sold its own brands, such as Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, the company began to take more of an interest in single malts. This led to the creation of the legendary collection of dumpy bottles in 1977. This series of single malts stood out for its very gentle filtration, lack of artificial colouring, and relatively high bottling strength for the time (80 proof/45.7% ABV). The labels included lots of information, including the month and year of distillation and bottling, and whether or not sherry casks were used. Also in 1977, the business moved to another address in Aberdeen, and finally to Campbeltown. In the 1980s, Cadenhead sold casks to legendary bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through the subsidiary Duthie’’s. Finally, two new whisky ranges were created in 1991 and 1992, the Original Collection bottled at 46% and the Authentic Collection bottled at cask strength. Other special series to mark Cadenhead’’s major anniversaries (150 and 175 years), as well as new ranges launched since (Small Batch, World Whiskies, etc.), have all contributed to the company’’s ongoing history up to the present day. A limited edition of 312 bottles.