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Littlemill
unveils 'Echoes of the Past' Release
Number One: A Rare 34 Year Old Single
Malt from Scotland’s Oldest Licensed
Distillery.
Littlemill, Scotland’s oldest licensed
distillery, has announced the debut
release in an extraordinary new series
of rare single malt Scotch whiskies,
offering a glimpse into the final
chapters of this lost distillery’s
storied legacy.
The inaugural expression, Littlemill
Echoes of the Past Release Number One,
is a remarkable 34 Year Old single malt
and the first in a four-part annual
collection. This series invites whisky
enthusiasts and collectors to experience
the evolution of a single Littlemill
cask, drawn once a year over four years.
Crafted from one precious Oloroso sherry
cask, each annual release will yield
only 50 bottles, allowing the remaining
spirit to continue aging and deepening
in character. With each instalment, the
whisky’s development will be revealed as
it absorbs further influence from its
sherry cask finish.
Distilled in 1990 during Littlemill’s
final production years, the spirit began
its journey in a refill American oak
hogshead, where it matured for 25 years.
In 2015, it was transferred into a
single Oloroso sherry barrel to further
refine and intensify its flavour
profile.
Master Blender and final guardian of
Littlemill, Michael Henry, hand-selected
the perfect moment to bottle this first
release. The result is a 34 Year Old
single malt that is said to masterfully
balance Littlemill’s signature bright,
summery fruit notes with delicate floral
spice and the richness of Oloroso
sherry.
This exceptionally rare whisky is said
to open with aromas of rose petals,
elderflower, dried apricot, kiwi, and
peach. On the palate, it delivers a
smooth, velvety texture with layers of
melted brown sugar, honeysuckle, ginger
spice, and citrus peel, culminating in a
long, vibrant finish of sweet citrus
fruits.
Echoes of the Past Release Number One is
presented in a handcrafted solid oak
display cabinet, with gracefully curved
features that lend it both elegance and
presence. Inside, a stone inlay bears a
personal tribute from Michael Henry to
Littlemill’s pioneering role in Scotch
whisky history.
The whisky itself is housed in a
bespoke, individually numbered Glencairn
decanter, intricately engraved with
details of the release. Each collector’s
cabinet also includes a 50ml miniature
for tasting and a certificate of
ownership, allowing the fortunate few to
enjoy a rare sip of Littlemill’s
enduring spirit.
Established in 1772 in Bowling, West
Dunbartonshire, Littlemill was a leader
in distilling innovation. Though the
distillery closed in 1994 and was later
lost to a fire in 2004, its legacy lives
on through the few remaining casks
preserved under the careful stewardship
of Michael Henry.
Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch
Lomond Group, owner of Littlemill, said:
"Each sip of Littlemill presents a
remarkable opportunity to experience a
taste of the distillery’s history and
opens a window to its extraordinary
past. The Echoes of the Past Collection
offers a new and unique opportunity for
whisky connoisseurs to take a different
kind of journey back to the final years
of the distillery’s production, allowing
them to experience an Oloroso finishing
on a Littlemill malt at different ages.
"Though Littlemill distillery is lost to
history, this cask carries its legacy
forward, evolving with time. To witness
its continuing journey of maturation and
flavour over four releases is to glimpse
a past that still lives on.
"Littlemill Echoes of the Past Release
Number One is a 34 Year Old single malt
which has rewarded us with the discovery
of a new flavour dimension that enhances
the distillery’s character, resulting in
a wonderfully sweet, citrus and softly
spicy dram."
Nick Bradley, Prestige Portfolio Manager
at Loch Lomond Group, owner of
Littlemill, added: "Incredibly,
Littlemill’s story began back in 1772 as
Scotland’s first licensed distillery,
but with such finite and limited
reserves remaining today, releasing a
cask such as Echoes of the Past marks a
special moment in the distillery’s
history.
"Each and every Littlemill cask provides
a snapshot of history and when
considering the creation of this
collection, we wanted to offer
travellers a special opportunity to
experience these moments in time. This
exceptional release offers the chance to
follow a rare Littlemill cask on the
final years of its journey. Like an
echo, it changes with every repetition,
eventually disappearing altogether.
"Littlemill Echoes of the Past Release
Number One showcases the beauty of this
single malt, which with the right cask
management, as well as patience and
time, has allowed this exquisite cask
the chance to reach its full potential.
It is a testament to Michael Henry, who
through his exceptional craftsmanship
and unrivalled knowledge and
understanding of the nature of the
spirit, has honed it into something
truly remarkable today."
Exclusively available at select travel
retail locations worldwide, Littlemill
Echoes of the Past Release Number One is
bottled at natural cask strength of
48.5% ABV and retains its natural
colour. As you you can imagine you will
need a deep pocket if you want to taste
this one, each individually numbered
decanter is priced at £3,900 RRP. For
support on where to purchase enquire via
www.littlemilldistillery.com.
Although getting rarer as time goes by,
you can still find a number of rare
independent and original distillery
bottling's of Littlemill available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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