Achi news desk-
Scotland’s leading whiskey writer, Charles Maclean, has launched a new dram – and every bottle sold will give at least one person clean water for life.
Ardnamurchan 6 Year Old single Highland malt is the first release from The Maclean Foundation, the Scottish charity founded by author Charles Maclean MBE and his three sons, world record-breaking rowers, Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan.
Charlie, who is one of the most respected figures in the Scotch whiskey industry, worked with Ardnamurchan’s managing director, Alex Bruce, to select the cask, which was then donated to the charity.
The 243 bottles bottled at cask strength (58.6% ABV) are available from today through Royal Mile Whiskeys for £115 per bottle, limited to one per buyer given the expected interest in the release.
The whiskey will cost £115 with a limit of one per buyer.
All profits raised will fund clean water projects in Madagascar, which is among the poorest countries in the world.
‘The Maclean Foundation is my legacy,’ said Charlie. ‘This is just the beginning of a long-term partnership with the Scotch whiskey industry to turn donated casks into clean water.
‘The Scotch whiskey industry has enabled me to make a living from something I love, and it has made me a lot of friends.
‘Inspired by my three sons working together, putting my knowledge and experience at the service of others to create long-term positive change is my way of saying thank you. We believe in our mission completely.
‘Big or small, every act of compassion, every act of adventure can make a difference.’
The Maclean’s Institute debut is adorned by a unique wraparound label created by Edinburgh-based branding agency Contagious.
The label gives Charlie the space to passionately express the story of the whiskey which the drinker can explore while enjoying a dram.
A unique holographic QR code on each bottle can be scanned for more information, allowing buyers to learn about the clean water project funded by their purchase.
All profits raised will fund clean water projects in Madagascar, which is among the poorest countries in the world.
‘This cask was one of the highlights of our last blending session – we always get one or two that are a little too interesting individually to go into the VAT,’ says Alex Bruce, managing director Ardnamurchan Distillery.
‘This is a quality limited edition produced in an ex-Bourbon cask with the seal of approval of our long-standing sensory mentor Charles Maclean, so we expect demand to be high.
‘The boys’ adventurous spirit and Charlie’s considerate craft are a winning combination. We are proud to be able to support them on their journey.’
The Maclean brothers, the first three brothers to row across any ocean, completed a circuit and row to every distillery currently selling whiskey in Scotland in August.
Charlie previously raised £67,934.44 for the new family charity through the auction of rare and highly collectable spirits – including a unique 1979 Port Ellen and a 36-year-old Glengoyne from a Russell Family cask.
Tasting notes
Ardnamurchan 2017 6YO West Highland single malt @58.6%ABV (Cask Number: 952 ASB)
Appearance: Rich old gold; American oak first fill cask. A moderate bead in this age, despite high strength. Good legs. oily viscometry.
Smell: Light nose feel with some spiciness; generally dry. Top notes are marine (salt crystals, boat varnish, dried seaweed) and mineral (molten lime), with notes of linseed oil and outboard engine exhaust. After a while a faint floral note (heather pollen) and a hint of vanilla cream biscuit. More marine, mineral and oily (light engine oil) at lower strength.
Palate: Creamy texture and sweet taste overall, with some salt in the mid palate and a pinch of chilli spice in the medium warming finish. Even more mouth filling with less strength; slightly sweeter at first, then more savory due to a light saltiness. The spiciness was somewhat tamed, and with a taste to cool the mouth (Sichuan pepper).
Comment: Classic West Highland flavor profile. Extremely mature and complex for its youth. The cask has done an excellent job adapting the inherent character of the unrelenting Ardnamurchan spirit. Energetic but appealing.
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