Fettercairn Unveils The Vanguard Series: Pushing the Boundaries of Flavour and Imagination
Fettercairn Distillery has launched The Vanguard Series, an extraordinary set of boundary-pushing whiskies which explore what is possible in flavour. Inspired by Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass’ unique synaesthesic tasting notes and how he “tastes in colour”, The Vanguard Series will explore how we experience flavour through the senses. The three-year series starts with two inaugural releases – a rare 29 Year Old and a non-aged statement.
Nestled in the foothills of the Cairngorms, where mountain water flows through forest and field, the 200-year-old distillery has created a series that explores what is possible in flavour-led whisky making.
To underline this connection, Fettercairn has partnered with Barry Burns of globally renowned rock band Mogwai and multi-award-winning singer/songwriter Kathryn Joseph, who have collaborated for the first time to create a unique piece of music, entitled Lorica, based on Gregg Glass’s tasting notes.
Speaking about the whisky-making process, Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass said:
“In the development of any whisky, it’s a new experience. I tend to pick up sensory elements, particularly linking colour and texture to the flavour and character of the whisky. I capture that in my tasting notes, which show how the colours I experience change as the flavour of the whisky evolves.
“In the development of Vanguard, I’d always listen to a huge range of music, which can have a huge influence on how I experience flavour.
“The Vanguard series explores what’s possible within whisky. We’ve been looking to create the ideal way of delivering layers of flavour in these whiskies: which casks we select, the components of those casks, what character they bring, and how they will evolve our house style in new and exciting ways. The series represents the distillery’s commitment to flavour-led whisky making and boundary-pushing innovation.”
Speaking about the collaboration, musician Barry Burns added:
“The opportunity to work with Gregg and the rest of Fettercairn team felt like a genuine collaboration, and it’s really interesting what they are trying to do with this release. Kathryn and I have toured together, and know each other well, but it was a fantastic opportunity for us to collaborate together on a unique piece of music and we had a lot of fun taking inspiration from the colours and shapes of Gregg’s tasting notes, but understanding what he was listening to and inspired by when he was making the whisky which we had the privilege to sample.”
And singer/songwriter Kathryn Joseph said:
“I loved working with Barry on this. He is the best and I am very lucky. Meeting Gregg and seeing and hearing how much he cares about what he does was beautiful. I love whisky now! Thank you Fettercairn. It felt very quickly like all the elements of this made sense to me. How Gregg sees and hears the colours of the tastes, the beautiful stills of the visuals and the way that Barry is able turn everything into perfect beauty.”
Two Inaugural Releases Push Creative Boundaries
Global single malt whisky specialist, Andrew Lennie, said:
“The Vanguard Series is all about how we experience flavour through the senses. These two inaugural releases are still uniquely Fettercairn, but they push our house style in totally different directions to create something that really feels like a glimpse of the future.
“Every part of the process has been about creating something that pushes the boundaries in flavour, from initial research with the University of Bordeaux, to the casks that were hand selected, to the age we bottled.
“Our senses are interconnected, never more than when we experience flavours which have vivid scents, textures and even colours. Having Barry and Kathryn produce such a beautiful, dramatic piece of music based on those ideas has been incredible. We’re absolutely blown away by what they’ve produced.”
Vanguard 29 Year Old (£2,500 RRP) is an extremely rare release of just 99 bottles worldwide. The whisky began its journey on December 11, 1995, spending 25 years in a refill bourbon hogshead before being transferred to an exceptionally rare French pink oak cask from Bordeaux cooperage Demptos.
The “Essencia Barrel,” known affectionately as “Pink Oak,” is distinguished by its high levels of carotenoids, which impart elegant fruit and floral notes, particularly distinctive strawberry characteristics that perfectly complement Fettercairn’s tropical house style.
Vanguard (£100 RRP) is a unique, small batch release. This expression builds on Fettercairn’s exploration into the use of Scottish Oak through innovative hybrid cask maturation. The whisky was first laid down in ex-bourbon barrels on February 28, 2008, developing for 14 years before being finished in unique hybrid casks constructed from American oak staves and heavily toasted Scottish oak heads crafted from naturally wind-felled Highland Scottish oak.
Created in collaboration with Speyside Cooperage, these 200-litre hybrid barrels offer a unique maturation environment that enhances the whisky’s natural beauty. The result is an exquisite balance of Fettercairn’s signature tropical house style with subtle warming wood spice notes.
The whiskies will be available in selected specialists from 1st September.
For more information visit: https://www.fettercairnwhisky.com/en-gb/the-vanguard-series/
Greg
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