Littlemill launches 47YO for £14,500
After closing in 1994, a fire destroyed Littlemill distillery in 2004 – but today marks the launch of a 47-year-old single malt from the brand.
Littlemill is Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery. The latest release is the oldest age statement from the distillery to date, following a 47-year maturation. The Vanguards Collection Chapter Two is the second release in the Littlemill series, following the launch of a 45-year-old whisky in 2023. Bottled at its cask strength of 44.9%, only 250 individually numbered bottles are available worldwide, priced at £14,500 (US$18,800). It will be sold via the Littlemill website and specialist retailers. Michael Henry, master blender at Loch Lomond Group, which owns Littlemill, said: “Between Littlemill’s founding and its lamentable closure, a remarkable story of innovation took place. It is a story rarely told but one that touches the whole world of whisky. By far the most fascinating part is the stories of the people who we know were quietly overturning traditions, shaping the distillery for what it would become. “A story of that measure requires a whisky of remarkable quality, so it is fitting that now is the time we release our oldest aged statement to date. Like any whisky of this age, it takes time, patience, and careful monitoring to know when the moment has come to release it. “I was inspired by my predecessors and their innovations which shaped Littlemill’s character. With them always in mind, we have crafted a dram full of classic Littlemill delicate, summer-like notes.” Tasting notes include aromas of the coast and saline, with floral elderflower, rose, and honey. The palate is said to bring green apple and pears, fresh pineapple, grapefruit, honeysuckle and nutmeg. The finish brings more fruit and spice, with kiwi and cinnamon spice. Vanguards Chapter Two is packaged in a Glencairn Crystal decanter. Each pack also contains a 50ml miniature, and a hardback book telling the story of Littlemill. Bethany Wood, owner of Blowfish Glass, created 250 glass bottle stoppers for the decanters, inspired by Jane Macgregor, the former Littlemill distillery manager who is thought to have been one of the first women in history to hold a licence for a distillery of scale in 1823 when the Excise Act passed. Nick Bradley, prestige portfolio manager at Loch Lomond Group, added: “The unsung heroes of Littlemill passed into history long before the significance of their contributions could ever be applauded, which is why the Vanguards Collection raises a dram to them, their entrepreneurial spirit and craftsmanship which helped to shape the last precious drops of this incredible distillery. Today, the Vanguards Collection offers a fortunate few a rare glimpse into our legacy. “When considering the Collection, we wanted to celebrate and revive the past by bringing alive the spirit of Littlemill’s pioneers. There is a real joy in finding and collaborating with artists and kindred spirits who are keeping their traditional crafts alive in today’s age. “Bethany Wood is a champion of craftsmanship with her own innovative style of art, making her the ideal collaboration to explore Jane’s legacy with us.” There have been numerous older, age-statement whiskies launched this year. Last week, we rounded up 10 of the oldest whisky releases so far in 2024. There have also been multiple older, age-statement whiskies launched as core range products in the past 12 to 18 months. Earlier this year, we explored what was driving this trend, and asked if we are in a new era of age-statement Scotch.
