The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

During the early 19th century, illegal distilleries were commonplace throughout the Speyside region of Scotland. In 1823, however, Alexander Gordon pushed the Excise Act of 1823 through Parliament. The Excise Act allowed illegal distillers throughout Scotland to apply for and obtain licenses to legally distill spirits. In 1824, a businessman named George Smith applied for one of the first licenses in the Speyside region of Scotland and opened the doors to The Glenlivet Distillery. For nearly two centuries, The Glenlivet Distillery has been producing the single malt whisky that started it all.Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made using barley sourced from Crisp Maltings, Portgordon (Portgordon is a village in Moray, Scotland). After the barley has been malted and mashed, it is fermented in wooden washbacks for approximately two days. The wooden washbacks used by Glenlivet are more difficult and expensive to maintain as compared to the stainless steel washbacks used by most Scottish distilleries, but impart a distinctive, floral quality to the whisky.After the barley has been fermented, it is distilled twice first through Glenlivets wash still, and then again through Glenlivets spirits still. Originally designed by George Smith, the copper-pot stills have a unique, lantern-like shape, which encourages contact between the whisky and the copper. The copper strips the whisky of any impurities it may have, and provides for a lighter and more pure flavor profile.Following distillation, The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured in a combination of ex-sherry casks and ex-bourbon casks for a minimum of 21 years (a portion of the whisky is matured for up to 40 years). The whisky has a rich, luxurious aroma of pine, raisins and sandalwood. The aroma gives way to notes of brown sugar, walnuts and honey on the palate, that are well-complemented by notes of dried fruits, Christmas cake and baking spices. The finish is long and sweet, with a hint of chewy leather, ginger and oak.The whisky earned the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2005, 2006 and 2009, and earned the Double Gold Medal in 2007, 2012 and 2013. In addition, it earned a score of 93 points from Whisky Advocate and a score of 96-100 points from Wine Enthusiast.Pick up a bottle today!