Whisky
Scotland is a country well known around the world for its fine foods. An abundance of fish and fowl – as well as deer, cattle, and sheep – has caused Scotland to develop a deep and abiding appreciation for food. Going hand in hand with this appreciation of fine cuisine is our love of our national drink: whisky.
Whisky distillation began in Scotland no later than the 15th century. Today, there are over 100 operational distilleries in Scotland, each with their own distinct flavours and unique history. Whisky distillation has now become an art form; the smallest alteration in the process can produce the biggest flavour differentials. As a consequence, a globe-spanning and knowledgeable fan base has arisen, centred on both high quality and rare whisky. Going hand in hand with this are businesses focussed entirely on the branding, marketing, and selling of Scottish malt whisky.
The Selling of Rare Whisky
The Rare Malt Whisky Company is a start-up whisky reseller based just outside the picturesque village of Killearn in Scotland. Founded by Lesley Henderson, the company specialises in the acquisition and reselling of rare malt whiskies. Every bottle of whisky – aside from a small core range of bottles – they sell is significant in some way, shape, or form. It could be a single cask edition or a one time release bottling; whatever the reason, their entirety of their stocklist is rare whisky, something very few other companies do.
Lesley herself is in no way an amateur when it comes to the business of whisky. She spent four years at a world class whisky distillery before deciding she wanted to stretch her wings. The resulting business is The Rare Malt Whisky Company.
Bottle Examples – Islay Whisky, Hebridean Whisky, and more.
As mentioned previously, Lesley only looks for premium bottles of delectable Scottish Uisge Beatha. Due to the limited nature of the bottles she carries, The Rare Malt Whisky Company’s stock changes on a regular basis. There is one common theme throughout, quality. You will never see a standard bottle of whisky sitting outside of the core range in the online shop, only the examples of fine rare whisky.
Current examples include the Bruichladdich whisky Exploration 08 Valinch, a peated whisky that will titillate the taste buds of any smoky whisky lover. Matured in a rioja cask, this whisky features powerful smoke mingles with red, fruity flavours in such a perfect fashion as to create a strong and complex dram. The flavour profiles are roasted nuts alongside sweet blackberries, all intermingled with classic Islay peat.
One particularly impressive bottle currently available is a MacAllan 18 from 1973. Distilled in 1973 and bottled in 1991, this iconic bottle of whisky could either be a centrepiece for a collector, or deliciously guilty dram for someone willing to drink what must be one of the most expensive nips known to humanity. This particular 18-year-old comes from a time when MacAllan whiskies were matured in sherry casks; currently, they are matured in bourbon. As a result, the finish would be fuller and more appealing to those that lean towards richer flavours.
If you want to find out more about The Rare Malt Whisky Company, all their contact details can be found here.
Written by Melissa Lang.