Calling all collectors—The Glenrothes has bottled a single malt Scotch distilled in the early 1980s. Aged over the course of 504 months, the new 42-year-old whisky was first announced in February this year and made available in the UK in March and the US in June.
Finally, it has arrived in Hong Kong.
Master whisky maker Laura Rampling made the selections for the new expression, the first 42-year-old whisky by the renowned distillery. Picking only the best four from over hundreds of oak casks, the result is a spirit that embodies “the changing colours of the Rothes landscape” and encapsulates the many, many seasons it took to perfect this limited release.
“These four casks have taken our spirit on a journey of maturation over four decades, refining the original delicate and fruity character of our new make spirit without overpowering it,” she says. “Part science, part alchemy, and a little bit of magic, the result is a beautifully elegant whisky that truly allows the bright and vibrant character of The Glenrothes to sing.”
At a luncheon celebrating the local debut, The 42 was paired with dishes that similarly echo the vibrant landscape of the Highlands, from the clear spring water that plays a central role in the distillation process to the lush woods and crop fields that surround the estate. Courses of smoked Hokkaido scallop, roasted leek tart, and pan-seared Spanish sea bass were harmoniously complemented by notes of brown sugar, honeycomb, vanilla, and toasted almonds on the palate, ending with a sweet, velvety finish.
Not to be outdone, the special-edition packaging for The 42 also draws on natural hues from in and around the Speyside town of Rothes, home to The Glenrothes distillery. Composed of loose, curved lines in a near-rainbow sweep, the abstract design pays tribute to a bygone time when “aged paints were made from landscapes: earth, rock, sand, and even flowers.”
Bottled at 43 percent ABV at a deep amber colour inside handmade crystal decanters shaped to look like the oak casks the liquid matured in, The 42 is a vibrant and rare find. Now, it can be yours starting from HK$68,800 per bottle—if any are still on the market.
Edrington Hong Kong is the exclusive distributor for The Glenrothes 42.
All images courtesy of The Glenrothes.
