Whiskies To Celebrate The Festive Season From The House Of Hazelwood.
The festive period is rapidly approaching as the nights draw in and fires get lit early in the evening. To celebrate Advent in style, The House of Hazelwood has its third collection capturing the spirit of adventure of the Gordon family. Jeremy Webb samples a few drams of the brand's whiskies because someone has to.
For whisky collectors and aficionados, House of Hazelwood has created its third collection of exceptional, aged, and rare whiskies, paying homage to the adventurous Gordon family. The collection would make a memorable pre-Christmas present, enabling the whisky lover to drink merrily over the festive period.
The collection of eight blended malt and grain whiskies takes connoisseurs on a journey from The Transatlantic 33-Year-Old Blended Grain Whisky, which reflects the very best that Scottish and American whisk(e)y making has to offer, to the coast of Islay and the Queen of the Hebrides, a 36-Year-Old Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky a heavily peated partner offering up a maelstrom of maritime characteristics.
Based on the philosophy that whisky is 'ready when it's ready', the collection of eight whiskies is once again unique, irreplaceable, and one-of-a-kind. This is most aptly reflected by the rarest whisky in the latest release, The Last Trace, a 58-year-old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. Only 65 bottles are available worldwide, and it is the last remaining trace of this blended malt that has matured in American White Oak for nearly 60 years.
House of Hazelwood Director Jonathan Gibson said,
“Given the collection of whiskies that have been laid down by generations of the Gordon family, our biggest challenge is knowing which ones to select. This latest collection takes us on so many different journeys from far-flung destinations as reflected by The Silk Traveller, a 44-year-old-blended Grain Scotch Whisky reminiscent of the souks and bazaars that would have been at the centre of trading during the times of The Silk Road movement, to closer to home with The Garden At Hazelwood, which has orchard fruit characteristics within this 47-Year-Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. We hope connoisseurs and collectors agree that these are all rare and remarkable whiskies."
Renowned whisky experts and writers Charlie Maclean and Howard Yu tasted the third collection, stating they are exceptional whiskies.
Commenting on The Last Trace, Charlie, who has dedicated his life to studying and promoting whisky, becoming one of the leading authorities, said: "This is one of the most extraordinary whiskies I have ever tasted. It has a creamy feel with a light sweetness and coconut notes on the nose. It truly is one of a kind."
As with the previous collections, these are the most compelling whiskies in the Gordon family inventory—a bridge between the past and the present, each parcel remarkable by its character, history, or production method.
The Old Ways is a 1972 Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky that is a true champion of a bygone era. It encapsulates the 1970s whisky-making methodology long since lost.
The final two in the collection leave a standout, unapologetic and bold impression on the drinker.
An outstanding sherry bomb, 'A Minute to Midnight,' a 45-year-old Blended Scotch Whisky, is unashamed in its depth and should be kept under lock and key until it can be genuinely savoured in the quiet hours of the night.
The Hazelwood Highlander, a 33-year-old Blended Scotch Whisky, transports you to the rich, luscious rolling hills of the Scottish countryside in summer. It is also the spiritual sibling of The Lowlander, released as part of collection two.
The eight remarkable whiskies have been released across the Charles Gordon and Legacy collections. Prices range from The Hazelwood Highlander at £1,200 RRSP to The Last Trace at £6,000 RRSP.
House of Hazelwood – The 2024 Collection – Tasting Notes.
The Charles Gordon Collection.
A legend within the Scotch whisky community, Charles Gordon spent much of his youth at Hazelwood House. in later years he was fundamental in bringing in some of the earliest stock laid down for the House of Hazelwood Collection. This eponymous collection of rare and old Scotch whiskies represents some of the most remarkable stock in the inventory – every cask aged for at least forty years, every bottle with its own story to tell.
The Garden at Hazelwood, 47-Year-Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky,
45.8% ABV, 137 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £4,500
Reminiscent of the garden at Hazelwood House, this release is redolent of the natural haven that has played host to generations of the Gordon family. It is wonderfully welcoming, with an abundance of lavender and orchard fruits.
The Last Trace, 58-Year-Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky,
43.1% ABV, 65 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £6,000
The final swan song of two casks ravaged by theft committed by the Angel's Share. The resulting whisky offers a remarkable depth, balancing the sweet and savoury.
A Minute to Midnight, 45-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky,
58.6% ABV, 154 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £4,000
Unashamed decadence in its depth, this outstanding sherry bomb is one to keep under lock and key until the house falls quiet in the latest hours of the night. Only then is it safe to savour, as an indulgence such as this always disappears too soon.
The Old Ways, 1972 Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky,
50.1% ABV, 123 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £3,500
A true champion of a time gone past, this sensational single grain embodies the booming entrepreneurial spirit and ambition of the Scotch whisky industry in the 1970s—a hero grain of remarkable character.
The Legacy Collection
Every whisky in the House of Hazelwood inventory represents a legacy for future generations to explore and enjoy. The Legacy Collection showcases some of the brightest highlights of the inventory, comprising whiskies of exceptional character and provenance, each with a story to tell. Within the collection are whiskies that are the first of their kind, the last of their line, those that capture the spirit of an era and offer insights into the inner workings of the Scotch whisky community.
The Hazelwood Highlander, 33-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, 45.8% ABV, 203 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £1,200
One intake of breath after uncorking this Blended Scotch Whisky, and you could find yourself transported to the rich, luscious rolling hills of the Scottish countryside in summer. Meet the spiritual sibling of The Lowlander.
Queen of the Hebrides, 36-Year-Old Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky,
43.4% ABV, 274 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £2,000
Heave away on the gulf of the Corryvreckan and discover a marvellous maelstrom character within this smoked sensation. A heavily peated partner is worthy of such a royal title.
The Silk Traveller, 44-Year-Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky,
47.6% ABV, 212 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £1,500
It is an unexpected immersion of the senses – and highly pleasurable in every nuanced note. Generous, warm and sweetly spiced – a journey down this silk road will yield flavour boons.
The Transatlantic, 33-Year-Old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, 57.3% ABV, 291 bottles worldwide, UK RRSP £1,300
A rare, delicious Scotch Blended Grain that could easily be twinned if sampled blind, with the finest of American Bourbon. Sweet and woody, this drop will reward every aspect of taste.
The House of Hazelwood's third collection is available exclusively to order from https://www.houseofhazHazelwood' spages/the-2024-collection and select luxury retailers.
