I love a trip to the cinema. It’s literally the only time I eat popcorn and Maltesers… at the same time. Try it. Honestly, it’s a taste sensation. Oh, and blue slush puppies. Helluva combination… but I digress. Hitting cinemas a fortnight or so ago, Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the first film to have a whisky created specifically for it (if you haven’t seen it, check out the official trailers here and here). With Glendronach being director Matthew Vaughn’s favourite distillery, it was only fitting that he should pick four ex-sherry casks from this distillery which were filled in 1991 (the birth year of Kingsman agent Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin, pictured below) to create the Kingsman Edition. Vaughn commented: “Kingsman is smooth, elegant and packs a punch, as does The Glendronach – so it felt like the perfect fit. I selected the 1991 vintage as it marks birth year of ‘Eggsy’, who is also known as Kingsman agent Galahad. It’s really special to get a limited edition vintage like this, and even more so as The Glendronach is my favourite single malt whisky. I hope Kingsman fans around the world enjoy it as much as I do.”
Kingsman agent Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin. He borrowed this suit from Hoban you know.
Glendronach Whisky Maker Rachel Barrie said: “It took over a quarter of a century for The Glendronach Kingsman Edition to come of age, matured in sherry casks from birth. As we say at the distillery, ‘Cask is King’ and this is evident in the taste experience of The Glendronach Kingsman Edition 1991 Vintage, which is richly sherried, elegant and full bodied to the last.” Limited to 2,137 bottles and bottled at a cask strength of 48.2% this release sold out super quick. I noticed on Rachel’s Facebook that even she was having trouble sourcing bottles for her own collection! You know a whisky is in high demand when the lady who made the bloody stuff can’t get her hands on it. Here’s what I made of it…
Glendronach Kingsman Edition 1991
2,137 bottles only
48.2% ABV
£550 SOLD OUT
Nose: Very rich and inviting. Fig rolls, stewed plums, sticky dates, red and black currants, beeswax and orange marmalade on toast to start. Then some mulled wine spices and sandalwood appear, along with old leather, a mulchy forest floor and aromas reminiscent of an old country house.
Palate: Complex and evolving. The sweet juicy currants are back, along with muscovado sugar, rum soaked raisins, some molasses, dark treacle and poached apples and rhubarb. These give way to cinnamon, clove, leather and faint charred steak.
Finish: Rather long, with polished oak, sweet wood spices and a wisp of smoke.
Overall: My oh my. A brilliant example of high quality malt spirit matured in excellent sherry casks for a good period of time. Luxurious and elegant. Beautifully complex yet wonderfully accessible. I could go on and on and on… I really could. But I’d better not. All I can really say is, good luck bidding on this at auction. That’s the only place you’ll find it. Now, time for me to make a trip to the cinema. I have a sudden hankering for a blue slush puppie.
Tiger
