Crurated

This bottling is the first in Ballantine’s ‘Masterclass Collection’, an expertly crafted blend drawing on Scotch whiskies which have been aged for a minimum of 40 years. The release celebrates past and present Ballantine’s Master Blenders, starting with the legendary Jack Goudy, who held the title of ‘Master Blender’ between 1959 and 1994.

All the whiskies used in this incredible assemblage would have been laid down in cask under Goudy’s tenure, with this blend composed by his then apprentice, and now celebrated Master Blender in his own right, Sandy Hyslop.

Only 108 bottles of Ballantine’s 40 Year Old Masterclass Collection: ‘The Remembering’ have been produced.

Min. bid €9,000

Est. market price €10,300

In this small batch release, named ‘The Remembering’, Hyslop has woven together rare whiskies from lost distilleries, as well as other rare casks from across Scotland’s famed whisky producers. In crafting this blend, Hyslop built on whisky from the now closed Dumbarton Distillery, where he first worked under Goudy, on his route to becoming a Master Blender himself.

Ballantine’s 40 Year Old Masterclass Collection: ‘The Remembering’ is presented in a bottle decorated by hand and infilled with gold, housed inside a presentation box, dressed in a delicate 3D paper art, created by celebrated Scottish artist, Kyla McCallum.

Renais gin holds a distinctive golden hue, reflecting the addition of a small amount of juice from Grand Cru Chablis grapes. Along with botanicals such as juniper, grains of paradise and linden flowers, the addition of acacia honey adds texture and sweetness to this complex spirit. With a blossoming bouquet reminiscent of an English garden, yet with a Chablis-inspired crisp backbone, it is perfect for sipping neat over ice, or lengthening with tonic, or mixing into a martini. Housed in a limited edition anniversary gift pack, with a unique gold and black label the gin is bottled at 40% abv.