New Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

Scotch whisky distilleries debut luxury single malts with rarefied qualities.

A number of top Scotch whisky houses have released new single malt labels at the high end of the category. The upscale nature of these single malts is heightened by their exclusivity; all are limited edition, available in select markets while supplies last. The popularity of single malts continues to grow, spurred by its burgeoning role in mixology.

GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1991
The GlenDronach single malt Scotch whisky has launched the Kingsman Edition 1991. The special edition is a collaboration with Marv films and Twentieth Century Fox to mark the release of the movie “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.” A total of 240 bottles of Kingsman 1991 are allocated for the U.S. market at a suggested retail price of $900 a 750-ml. The 48.2%-abv whisky will be sold at select specialty retailers beginning early this fall. For more information, visit Glendronachdistillery.co.uk.

The Macallan Edition No. 3
The Macallan, part of the Edrington portfolio, has unveiled Edition No. 3, the latest expression in its annual Edition Series. A collaboration between The Macallan master whisky maker Bob Dalgarno and perfumist Roja Dove, Edition No. 3 is a 48.3%-abv single malt Scotch aged in a combination of European and American oak casks. The specialty offering is limited to 250,000 bottles globally and retail priced at $95. For more information, visit Themacallan.com.

Glenmorangie Astar
Moët Hennessy USA reintroduced a whisky from its Glenmorangie single malt Scotch brand this fall. Last released in 2008, the no-age-statement Glenmorangie Astar ($99.99 a 750-ml.) was aged in specially made oak casks sourced from Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. The casks for Astar—Scots Gaelic for “journey”—were seasoned for two years in the open air before coopering, charring and seasoning with Bourbon for another four years. The 52.5-percent abv spirit is available nationwide in limited quantities. For more information, visit Glenmorangie.com.

Glen Moray Mastery
Prestige Beverage Group is launching a new limited edition bottling of Glen Moray single malt Scotch whisky. Glen Moray Mastery ($1,000 a 750-ml.) is a blend of five vintage whiskies from 1978, 1988, 1994, 1999 and 2001. The blend consists of whiskies aged in ex-Bourbon barrels, as well as whiskies from Sherry, Port and Madeira casks. Only 1,000 bottles of Glen Moray Mastery have been produced. The 52.3-percent abv whisky is available in select markets. For more information, visit Glenmoray.com.

Black Bowmore 1964
Beam Suntory has debuted a new limited-edition Scotch from its Bowmore Distillery. Aged in Oloroso Sherry hogsheads in Bowmore’s No. 1 vaults for 50 years, Black Bowmore 1964 50-year-old single malt Scotch whisky ($25,000 a 750-ml.) is the fifth and final whisky in the Black Bowmore 1964 collection. The 40.9-percent abv whisky is available in very limited quantities in select markets. For more information, visit Bowmore.com.