Lot #37 Artisan Casks Ancient Alba 'AON' 52 Year Old 1972

Overview

‘AON’, the first ever bottle from the first ever Artisan Cask ‘Ancient Alba’, a 52-year-old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky

Details

Ancient Alba ‘AON’ is the first ever bottle to be drawn from the first ever cask of the new Artisan Casks programme from The Artisanal Spirits Company. The 52 year old blended grain Scotch whisky, presented in a magnum bottle (150cl), has been anonymously donated to Distillers’ One Of One by the cask owner and will never be commercially available in any other form. The lot includes an exclusive private tasting and dining experience at the company’s spiritual home, The Vaults in Leith, Edinburgh.

Distinguishing features:

Official livery of the brand-new Artisan Casks programme

Special front label message: *The First Ever Bottle from the First Ever Artisan Cask*

Distillers One of One marque printed onto the glass bottle beneath the front label

‘AON’ meaning ‘ONE’ in Gaelic

Bottle number ‘1 of 1’ hand-written on the label

Distillation date and bottling date hand-written on the label

Bottled in a 150cl magnum glass bottle

Liquid information:

Age: 52 years old

Whisky type: Blended Grain Scotch Whisky

Maturation: Refill American oak bourbon barrel

ABV: TBC (to be marked on label)

Fill size: 150cl / 1.5l magnum

Original fill date: 26/12/1972 (AYS)

Bottling date: TBC (to be marked on label)

Accompanying experience:

The winning bidder, plus up to three guests, will enjoy an exclusive tour, tasting and dining experience at The Vaults of Leith, Edinburgh. A reserved supply of Ancient Alba ‘AON’ has been held back at the Vaults, allowing the guests to taste this whisky without opening their bottle. (Redeemable within 24 months from the auction, with at least one month’s notice.)

Accompanying paraphernalia:

Framed Certificate of Ownership

Framed artist’s sketch of the bottle (A2)

Printed ‘Cask Card’ with cask details and tasting notes

Tasting Notes

There is no substitute for time, and when a whisky reaches more than half a century in age it takes on an exceptionally rare character. This cask has developed luscious, rich notes reminiscent of Armagnac, with overaged rum, plum jam and marzipan on the nose. On the palate, layers of stone fruit and dark chocolate toffee combine with lively fruitiness, Parma violets and chalky-sweet sherbet. The finish is long and lingering, with polished wood and dried pineapple.