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17th November 2021 |
To mark their
40th anniversary family-owned and run
Scottish glassware company, Glencairn
Crystal are auctioning an extraordinary
piece of whisky history for charity, The
Glencairn Ruby Tribute Blended Scotch
Whisky.
 With
contributions from some of world’s most
iconic master blenders ‘The Glencairn
Ruby Tribute Blended Scotch Whisky’
uniquely captures a true moment of
whisky history and to mark the 40th
anniversary of the family-owned and run
Scottish glassware company, Glencairn
Crystal, the Davidson family is
auctioning this unique and special blend
of aged whiskies in a stunning
ruby-encrusted decanter to raise money
for charity.
Founded by Raymond Davidson in 1981, the
company has become a world expert in the
design, creation and manufacture of
high-end crystal decanters and glassware
and is also known for creating the
world’s favourite whisky glass, the
Glencairn Glass.
The story behind the The Glencairn Ruby
Tribute Blended Scotch Whisky:
The Glencairn Ruby Tribute Blended
Scotch Whisky was originally presented
to Raymond Davidson at Fettercairn
Distillery in December 2004, to
celebrate the production of Glencairn’s
one millionth Glencairn Glass by the
judges and friends of The International
Spirits Challenge. In a surprise
gathering organised by Whyte and
Mackay’s Richard ‘The Nose’ Paterson, a
special assemblage of malt grain aged
whiskies - all at least 18 years old -
were blended together and filled into a
miniature oak cask and gifted to
Raymond.
Capturing an exclusive and private
moment in whisky history, a number of
legendary, highly-respected master
distillers, blenders and industry
figures attended the gathering and
contributed their aged whiskies for this
commemorative blend.
Over the past 17 years, the cask has
been carefully stored at Glencairn’s
headquarters until recently, when the
contents have been bottled into one of
the most exquisite bespoke decanters the
company has ever created.
This precious, rare decanter of malt
whisky will be auctioned, accompanied by
a handwritten scroll by Richard Paterson
explaining the story behind the
celebratory blend, tasting notes and the
actual photograph capturing this
incredibly special moment. The
photograph features from left to right;
Jim Beveridge (Diageo), Shin Natsuyama
(Morrison Bowmore), Colin Scott (Chivas
Bros), David Stewart (William Grant),
Billy Leighton (Irish Distillers), Ian
Grieve (Diageo), Raymond Davidson
(Glencairn Crystal), Colin Bailey – Wood
(Drinks International Magazine), Robert
Hicks (Allied Distillers), Jim Cryle
(Glenlivet Distillery), Seiichi
Koshimizu (Suntory), John Ramsay
(Highland Distillers), Richard Paterson
(Whyte & Mackay) and David Doig
(Fettercairn Distillery).
Richard Paterson, Master Blender at
Whyte and Mackay, commented: "Raymond
Davidson had originally considered the
concept of this special whisky glass –
the Glencairn Glass - back in 1979 but
it would not be until March 2001 at
‘Whisky Live’ London, when it was
finally launched to great acclaim. In
the two decades since their whisky glass
was first unveiled, the celebrations
continue with sales this year alone
exceeding four million glasses. This
indeed is a fitting tribute to the
driving entrepreneurial spirit of the
Davidson family."
The Decanter
The one-of-a-kind crystal decanter which
houses the commemorative blend has been
hand-crafted by the highly skilled team
of craftspeople at Glencairn Crystal.
The whisky was presented to celebrate
the sale of the millionth Glencairn
Glass and to bring this to life, a
sparkling red miniature Glencairn Glass
embedded with over 70 rubies (the 40th
year anniversary gemstone to mark 40
years of Glencairn Crystal) set in
Britannia Silver – the purest quality of
silver available - adorns the front of
the decanter.
The decanter stopper is a
three-dimensional representation of the
Glencairn Crystal logo featuring a
knight on a horse, also crafted in
Britannia Silver. The base of the
decanter incorporates the signatures of
all the master distillers who
contributed their aged whiskies for this
exceptional blend.
Scott Davidson, Raymond’s son and
Glencairn Crystal’s New Product
Development Director said: "We wanted to
create a decanter that would do justice
to this unique blend of scotch whisky
which was specially created for my
father, and to showcase all the skills
that our talented team of craftspeople
have to offer here at Glencairn Crystal.
"This decanter of whisky marks a
precious moment in time when all those
original master distillers and blenders
of malt whisky were there at the
beginning of our journey with the
Glencairn Glass and they have supported
us ever since."
The Auction
The Glencairn Ruby Tribute Blended
Scotch Whisky will be auctioned as part
of The Worshipful Company of Distillers’
One-of-One Charity Auction, in
partnership with Sotheby’s.
The decanter will be presented in a
beautiful rectangular rosewood box,
alongside the handwritten scroll and
tasting notes by Richard Paterson, as
well as the photograph of the
presentation by the master distillers.
The auction takes place on 3rd December
at Barnbougle Castle on the Dalmeny
Estate, near Edinburgh. 100% of the
auction hammer price will go to The
Distillers’ Charity Youth Action Fund,
helping to improving life chances of
Scotland’s young people.
Raymond Davidson, Founder and CEO of
Glencairn Crystal said: "The whisky
industry has always been a major part of
our business and indeed of my life. Over
the years it’s been a privilege to know,
respect and enjoy the company of so many
wonderful people in the whisky world and
I have very fond memories of the day
when I was presented with this
commemorative whisky by my colleagues
and friends.
"These days, gatherings like this happen
very rarely, so I hope that the auction
will capture the imagination of someone
who would like to own a piece of whisky
history and will help us to raise money
for this important charity."
For details about how to register for
the auction please visit
www.sothebys.com/en/digital-catalogues/the-distillers-one-of-one
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Glencairn Ruby Tribute Blended Scotch Whisky Review
|
Producer's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Satin wood, honeyed
amber gold with a lustre of Autumn
leaves.
Nose:
Luscious, polished and appealing. This
aged icon has been beautifully crafted
to perfection as layers of enchanting
nuances immediately arouse your senses;
coffee mousse, soft liquorice, creamy
caramel and marzipan take centre stage.
Then another level of excellence follows
on with inviting aromas of crushed
almonds, Madagascan vanilla pod, black
bitter chocolate, crème brûlée and baked
wheat toast drenched in Manuka honey. A
whisper of balsamic and succulent
sultanas completes this harmonious
bouquet.
Taste:
Soft, graceful and beguiling on the
palate as mouth-watering chocolate
coated blood oranges, sun kissed
raisins, over ripe pineapple and Black
Forest fruits make their presence felt.
Age, has truly nurtured this noble blend
of unashamed pleasure. It therefore must
be given all the reverence and respect
it richly deserves by holding this
unique blend long in the mouth. Just
when you thought this treasure trail of
flavour was over, an aftertaste of baked
banana bread, Grande Champagne Cognac,
cinnamon apple compote and Colombian
coffee ebbs away gently in the
background.
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