The Glenlivet 56 Year Old 1 of 1 42.7 abv (1 Bottle 70cl)

The Glenlivet 56 Year Old 1 of 1 42.7 abv

This lot is offered Duty Paid With VAT On the Hammer Price.

The second edition in The Eternal Collection, The Glenlivet 56 Year Old 1 of 1 is the latest chapter in a partnership between Sotheby’s and leading Scotch whisky maker, Chivas Brothers, to bring highly aged, one-off creations to auction. This entirely unique and bespoke whisky and decanter were created exclusively for Sotheby’s with proceeds benefitting the National Trust for Scotland.

This singular whisky lot, exclusively available through Sotheby's, includes the following:

• A unique 56 year old liquid, of which only one bottle was ever produced.
• A singular and exclusive decanter, plated in pure gold to mirror the rarity of the whisky within, crowned with a YAG Paraíba Tourmaline simulant, a lab-grown gemstone of exceptional colour and clarity, weighing an impressive 137.73 carats.
• A sculptural display of delicate heather branches, bespoke 3D printed and plated in pure gold, designed and crated by Patrik Fredrickson and Ian Stallard of London-based, British-Swedish art and design practice, Fredrickson Stallard.
• The winner of this lot will be invited to The Glenlivet Distillery to enjoy a once in a lifetime whisky experience.

The Whisky

Bottled at 42.7% abv, this whisky is created from a bespoke assemblage and is entirely unique, finished in bespoke sherry casks. Master Blender Kevin Balmforth collaborated with sherry suppliers in Spain to create a special seasoning sherry, combining Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and Palo Cortado. This sherry was used to season a bespoke sherry butt, adding layers of vanilla and toffee to complement The Glenlivet’s hallmark orchard fruit and honeyed richness, coming from its initial maturation in an American oak barrel. The combined result of these two casks is a singular, exceptionally aged single malt offering extraordinary depth, shaped by a finishing process unlike anything in the brand’s history, one that exemplifies Chivas Brothers’ craft of truly one-of-a-kind whiskies defined by rarity, provenance and masterful artistry.

The Decanter

The decanter stands as an object of singular artistry, plated in pure gold to mirror the luminous character of the whisky it holds. The bespoke bar top is crowned with a YAG Paraíba Tourmaline simulant, a lab-grown gemstone of exceptional colour and clarity, weighing an impressive 137.73 carats. Hand-faceted by a master cutter in Germany, its radiant teal hue evokes the crystalline depths of Speyside’s waters. The bottle is further adorned with intricate gold engravings of heather branches, designed by Fredrikson Stallard as a tribute to the untamed Scottish landscape- and marked as a unique creation: Bottle 1 of 1.

The Plinth

Designed and crafted by Fredrikson Stallard, the sculptural display serves as a modern ode to both nature and legacy. Delicate heather branches, bespoke 3D printed and plated in pure gold, rise in organic form to cradle the decanter in a balance of strength and grace. Beneath, a base of richly veined Guatemala green marble anchors the composition, a symbol of permanence, depth, and the land from which The Glenlivet draws its spirit. Together, these elements unite artistry, craftsmanship and heritage.

Tasting Notes - Kevin Balmforth, The Glenlivet Cask Master

Nose: The nose opens with the richness of poached plums and sticky dates, complemented by indulgent notes of toffee sponge and orange marmalade. Luscious dark chocolate ganache emerges alongside caramelised almonds, lifted by a gentle warmth of clove and cinnamon spice.

Palate: On the palate, vibrant blackberries and ripe banana unfold into cherry compote and sweet candied walnuts. Treacle cake and golden sultanas follow, enriched with bright orange zest and crystallised ginger, all carried by a backdrop of warming festive spice.

Finish: Velvety and sweet, the finish lingers with complexity, leaving enduring notes of rich dark chocolate.

1 bottle 70cl (original presentation case)

LYING IN GREENFORD, MIDDLESEX Offered Duty Paid With VAT On the Hammer Price

Please note that for Wine and Spirits Lots, the Buyer’s Premium rate is 24% of the Hammer Price and the Overhead Premium rate is 1% of the Hammer Price. The Buyer’s Premium and Overhead Premium are subject to any applicable VAT/GST and/or sales or use tax. Please refer to the Conditions of Business for further details.

Please note the purchase price does not include applicable shipping, taxes or import charges which may be charged in addition to the purchase price.

Standard price shipping is available for deliveries within the United Kingdom (excluding Ireland and Scotland). Prices are quoted per case of wine or spirits; please note that a single bottle of wine or spirit will be considered as a full case. Deliveries will be charged as follows:

-         to an address in London: £35 for the first 10 cases, plus £10 for any additional case, plus VAT and Sotheby’s Transit Care cover;

-         to a UK address outside of London (excluding Ireland and Scotland): £45 for the first 10 cases, plus £10 for any additional case, plus VAT and Sotheby’s Transit Care cover.

Price on application quotes are available for all other UK addresses. Pricing for international shipping available from Sotheby's Wine and Spirits Department on request, please contact: winepostsaleservices.UK@sothebys.com.

Sotheby’s cannot arrange or take responsibility for shipments to non-UK buyers, but will be pleased to introduce them to a forwarding agent. Where it is necessary to have a licence to import wines or spirits, procural of the licence shall be the sole responsibility of the buyer. Buyers from outside the UK should note that local sales taxes or use tax may become payable upon import of items following purchase. Buyers should obtain their own advice in this regards. Any duties and taxes payable on import to the country of destination are not included. The cost of any such permit or license required for export or import of the purchased lot is not included. UK purchasers wishing to export directly out of the UK will have to pay VAT on the Buyer’s Premium irrespective of the destination. If you are shipping to another EU member state, 20% VAT has been added to the Buyer’s Premium. Those amounts of VAT may be refunded provided Sotheby’s receive the appropriate export documents within 3 months of the sale.