Acclaimed whisky label The Glenlivet has extended its Master Distiller’s Reserve journey with the release of The Master Distiller’s Reserve range, a signature collection of three exceptional triple-cask matured single malt whiskies. Available exclusively to international travellers, the collection elegantly showcases the quality and character that has become part of the signature of The Glenlivet’s classic style.

Existing globally successful whisky, The Master Distiller’s Reserve is the cornerstone of the range and it is joined in 2015 by two luxurious new expressions: The Master Distiller’s Reserve Solera Vatted and The Master Distiller’s Reserve Small Batch to become the new permanent range. Exploring a special journey into craft and cask, the Master Distiller’s Reserve range brings exceptional cask quality and a unique breadth and depth of flavour to the fore. Expert selection of the highest quality traditional oak, American oak and ex-sherry oak casks offers each expression ‘three times’ the character, for a discernibly rich and “three dimensional” quality.

With The Master Distiller’s Reserve traditional oak casks deliver the classic style of The Glenlivet of ripe fruit pear and gentle summer floral notes, while first fill American oak provides depth, with creamy notes of coconut and soft fudge. Ex-sherry oak is used to impart dried fruit flavours and spice aromas offering a deeper complexity and richness.

In contrast the new Master Distiller’s Reserve Solera Vatted expression combined ex-sherry, American oak and traditional oak casks are brought together in a Solera Vat, which is never emptied in a process which creates a rich and intense whisky, developing greater complexity year on year. A high concentration of first fill American oak casks bring a creaminess and honeyed sweetness to this expression, which has a unique velvety character.

The new Master Distiller’s Reserve Small Batch is created with individually selected casks, chosen from the collection of whiskies maturing in The Glenlivet warehouses. Every single cask is nosed prior to the final selection and the finest first fill ex-sherry and American oak casks are combined with traditional oak casks to create an exceptional malt, with subtle notes of fruit and delicate spiciness. It is then bottled and released in small batches, each with a unique batch number. The intricacy of triple cask maturation demands an unrivalled expertise that is delivered by Master Distiller, Alan Winchester.

“The Master Distiller’s Reserve range is a collection of exceptional single malt whiskies that marries the craft of the cask and the craft of flavour whilst maintaining the distinct floral characteristics of ‘the single malt that started it all’,” says Winchester. “A range of this nature can only be created with exceptional quality casks, industry leading expertise and a forward looking mind set; it is an honour that every bottle bears my name.”

Each expression retains the distinctive shape of The Glenlivet bottle and is presented in clear glass to reveal the alluring gold colouring, used to reinforce the quality credentials of the liquid. The new signifier for The Glenlivet, the iconic Packhorse Bridge which crosses the River Livet, features on the bottle ‘cartouche’ as a symbol of authenticity and heritage. www.theglenlivet.com