With no age statement and no information about the casks used, newly launched single malt The Glenlivet Cipher remains a mystery.
The limited-edition whisky has been released in an opaque black bottle, with the only information being that it is 48% ABV and aged in a “unique cask combination that has never before been used by The Glenlivet”.
With a combination of sweetness, spice and fruit notes, it has been created to encourage people to “decode” the flavour profile without preconceptions based on age and wood.
The Glenlivet’s master distiller Alan Winchester said: “The rise in the popularity of single malt scotch whisky over the past 10 years means that more people than ever are actively nosing, tasting and discussing single malt scotch whisky, which is fantastic.
“It is therefore a great pleasure to introduce The Glenlivet Cipher to the world as it presents a challenge for scotch whisky fans at all levels. For the true whisky connoisseurs out there, we have combined a unique and original selection of casks to craft The Glenlivet Cipher as part of our commitment to building upon the flawlessly smooth and fruity house style of The Glenlivet.”
Only 33,000 bottles of The Glenlivet Cipher have been produced for 24 markets around the world, including 1,200 bottles for the UK through Pernod Ricard UK, with a recommended price in retail of £100 per bottle.
On the label, drinkers are prompted to visit The Glenlivet microsite at cipher.theglenlivet.com where they can use a flavour wheel to select the aromas and flavours they detect in the whisky, with a few clues and tasting tips from Alan.
At the end, their score can be shared on social media to generate conversation between fellow whisky enthusiasts. Later this year, Alan will reveal his official tasting notes of the expression to The Glenlivet Guardians, the online community of fans of the brand.
Alan said: “I very much look forward to seeing which whisky fans manage to decipher the expression’s exact flavour profile and cask make-up over the coming months.
“So log onto cipher.theglenlivet.com to test your senses, increase your knowledge of whisky flavours and share your thoughts on social media using #TheGlenlivetCipher.”
Magin Trewhella, marketing manager at Pernod Ricard UK, added: “The Glenlivet Cipher is another stunning launch from The Glenlivet, and we are delighted to be able to make this exciting new expression available to a discerning audience in the UK.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for The Glenlivet following the successful launch of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, our new signature expression in the UK, while the launch of Cipher is further evidence of how the brand is constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation.”
