Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/57654
SCOTCH REPORT Long May She Reign H by Ian Buxton er Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years of service as Britain's mon- arch was greeted by a number of commemorative releases in February, the anniversary of her coronation. Notably they include an exceptional single malt from specialist bottlers Gordon & MacPhail of Elgin who have released a mere 85 bottles of their Glen Grant 60 Years Old. Distilled on 2nd February 1952, four days before the Queen was formally crowned, the whisky was bottled on 2nd February 2012 at cask strength, making it exactly 60 years old. Expect a SRP of around $12,000. Remarkable as that is, it pales into insignifi- cance when compared to the Johnnie Walker Diamond Jubilee edition which will be sold—by private invitation—at £100,000 (around $160,000) a bottle plus local taxes. There are only 60 bottles of this 60-year-old blend, each of which comes in a Baccarat crystal decanter with a silver collar set with a single diamond. Each decanter will be accompanied by a pair of hand-engraved crystal glasses and a personal- ized leather-bound artefact book, all housed in a bespoke cabinet made of wood from the royal Balmoral and Sandringham estates. The Queen will be presented with the first of the editions produced, which will not be numbered. Then a 60 further editions will be made available, 57 of which will be for private sale worldwide and three of which will be available for auc- tion. All profits, with a guarantee of at least £1 million, will be donated to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, which will help "enable traditional craftsmanship to flourish in Britain." We can all welcome that. Meanwhile, back on Planet Normal, there is much to report. Glenmorangie has added Artein (SRP $100+) to 26 / the tasting panel / march 2012 SCOTCH PRODUERS CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II its Private Edition range, joining Sonnalta PX and Finealta—rare and interesting limited-edition whiskies carefully selected from the "cabinet of curiosities" of Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie's Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, which are fast becoming collector's items. Artein is described as showing "ripe apricots, peaches and plums, which harmonize gracefully with hints of spearmint and cherries in milk chocolate on the palate." (See our story on page 62. —Ed.) Leaving Glenmorangie is Rachel Barrie, who joins Morrison Bowmore as Master Blender. Responsible for creating award-winning whiskies, including Glenmorangie Signet and Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Barrie is already exploring the Bowmore warehouses. We can expect some exciting new releases very soon. And definitely coming soon to the U.S. will be the long-awaited re-launch of Cutty Sark, iconic Scotch of the Mad Men era. Having faded more than a little since its heyday, it remains to be seen if Rachel Barrie increased promo- tional activity, a redesigned bottle and label, fresh new expressions and improvements to the blend can put fresh wind in Cutty's sails. New owners Highland Distillers have their track record with The Famous Grouse and single malts The Macallan and Highland Park to give credibility to their ambitions and they are certainly preparing for a long-term effort to restore this great old brand to some- thing approaching its former status. Ship ahoy!