Glenfiddich Unveils New Limited-Edition Expression: Malt Master's Edition

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Glenfiddich, the world's most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, releases Glenfiddich Malt Master's Edition. Only 18,000 bottles of this exceptional limited-edition, created by Malt Master Brian Kinsman, will be available in the United States.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120906/NY69124 )

Glenfiddich Malt Master's Edition encapsulates the fifth-generation family-owned distillery's innovative casking techniques. It is the first expression to adopt the double maturation process, delivering a whisky that is complex in taste and flavor imparted from two different woods. Using the highest quality of both Sherry and Refill Bourbon casks throughout the Glenfiddich range, this rare liquid reflects the distillery's historic 125 years of creating the most sought after whiskies in the world. 

As Malt Master, Kinsman is in charge of the Glenfiddich's pioneering whisky making process, from cask selection and overseeing the marrying of different ages and characters to managing the unique maturation process within the warehouse in the Dufftown, Scotland. A chemist by training, Kinsman became Glenfiddich Malt Master in December 2009, having first served an eight year apprenticeship under his predecessor David Stewart, who held the post for 35 years and is currently the industry's longest serving Malt Master.

"It is a true honor to be the sixth Malt Master at Glenfiddich during the distillery's milestone 125th Anniversary year," said Malt Master Brian Kinsman. "Glenfiddich established the single malt Scotch whisky category in 1963, when we became the first distillery to successfully export outside Scotland. I am proud to launch the Glenfiddich Malt Master's Edition as a tribute to the pioneering history that goes into each and every bottle of whisky we produce. The aim with all of our limited edition expressions is to showcase the distillery's special quality of the liquid, which this rare innovation captures so beautifully."

Glenfiddich Malt Master's Edition delivers a rich, ruby-red whisky with a complex nose that intermingles damp earth and whisky-soaked wood with deep vanilla and a touch of smoky embers. At first taste, the whisky has a sherbet zing which then slowly takes on a spicy, fruity character of plum and cherry with hints of toasted almond and wedding cake. The finish is silky and smooth.

Glenfiddich Malt Master's Edition has an ABV of 43% and will be available at select retailers starting in September 2012, with a retail price of $79.99.

About Glenfiddich:
Glenfiddich, the world's most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is generally recognized as being one of the true pioneers in the field of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The Glenfiddich distillery, located in Dufftown, in Scotland's Speyside region, was built in 1886 by William Grant, with the help of his seven sons and two daughters. To this day, Glenfiddich remains an independent, family-owned company run by the fifth generation of William Grant's family. This independence allows the distillery creative freedom to continue to innovate and set the standard against which the rest of the category is measured. Generally recognized as having pioneered the single malt category in 1963, when it introduced the first range of non-blended malts, Glenfiddich to this day retains the pioneering tradition established by William Grant, making it the proud recipient of nearly 200 international awards since 1998 and making it the number one selling Single Malt Whisky in the world. The Glenfiddich range includes the core 12 (40% ABV; RRP $45.99), 15 (40% ABV; RRP $54.99), 18 (40% ABV; RRP $84.99) and 21 Year Old (40% ABV; RRP %154.99) expressions, as well as a series of rare and precious expressions, including the renowned Glenfiddich 50 Year Old, a bottle of which sold in 2009 for a staggering $38,000. For more information, visit www.glenfiddich.com.

About William Grant & Sons:
William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distills some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world's most awarded single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world's fourth largest blended Scotch Grant's® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick's® Gin, Sailor Jerry® Rum, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey and the award-winning Milagro® Tequila.

Among the most recent accolades for the well-awarded company, William Grant & Sons was honored as the "Distiller of the Year" by the International Wine & Spirit Competition for the second year running and the fourth time since 1999. When counted along with the same designation from the International Spirits Challenge, William Grant & Sons has received this title an unprecedented nine times in the past 12 years.

Founded in 1964, William Grant & Sons USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, Ltd. and features one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios in the USA with brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick's Gin, Sailor Jerry Rum, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Milagro Tequila, Stolichnaya Vodka, Grant's, Hudson Whiskey, Gibson's Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Lillet, Art In The Age, The Knot and BOLS cordials. The company has offices in New York City (sales and marketing) and Edison, NJ (bottling and warehouse facilities). For more information on the company and its brands, please visit www.grantusa.com.

SOURCE William Grant & Sons, Ltd.