Latest news with #Glenlivet
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Meet The Collector Who Owns The Oldest Whisky, Rum, Cognac And Armagnac In The World
Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet, known as the 'King of World Spirits,' holds over 20 Guinness World Records for his collection of historic bottles, including the world's oldest whisky, rum, cognac, and armagnac. Mark Littler LTD A collector known as 'The King Of World Spirits' has just added another world record to his name. Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet of Vietnam has just added the oldest complete bottle of scotch whisky to his collection, and with it he has achieved what no one else ever has: ownership of the world's oldest examples of all four major aged spirits. With over twenty Guinness records to his name, Mr Viet has quietly built one of the most extraordinary vintage spirits collections on Earth. Following his recent acquisition of an 1843 bottle of Glenlivet, which has been acknowledged as the oldest known whisky in existence, I reached out to him to find out more about his incredible passion. For Mr Viet collecting whisky and spirits may have started out as a casual hobby, but it is clear from the incredible selection of spirits he has amassed that it evolved into something more. 'I realized that vintage whisky isn't just a spirit; it's a slice of history bottled, where history, craftsmanship, and emotion converge,' he explained to me over an email to discuss his recent acquisition of The Old Glenlivet 1843. For me, collecting isn't about ostentation; it's my way of honoring the past, preserving the essence, and spreading the value, persistently seeking out the oldest and rarest editions from around the globe. 'For me, collecting isn't about ostentation; it's my way of honoring the past, preserving the essence, and spreading the value, persistently seeking out the oldest and rarest editions from around the globe.' He has certainly kept true to himself and sought out some of the rarest bottles in existence. From a 1772 rum to a 1696 cognac, Mr Viet's collection includes the world's oldest examples of Cognac, Armagnac, Rum and Whisky. He treats each bottle as a time capsule—a preserved moment from a distant century—and with this latest addition, his collection has arguably become something more: a curated archive of distillation history. The Old Glenlivet 1843, the oldest known bottle of whisky in existence, now part of Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet's record-breaking spirits collection. Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet The Old Glenlivet 1843 first appeared on the auction market back in 1970 at a renowned Wine and Spirits auction in Scotland. This was long before any kind of online record began. 'After that, it completely vanished from the market and passed through the hands of several esteemed international collectors before it came into the possession of Mr. Lars Janssen, a highly respected vintage spirits collector from the Netherlands,' Mr Viet explained. 'This wasn't merely a transaction; it was a symbolic handover, as the previous owner wished to find someone who would truly appreciate and continue to preserve the historical value of this extraordinary bottle.' This whisky was distilled and bottled when The Glenlivet distillery was still relatively new. Today Glenlivet is the joint largest distillery in Speyside, but back then distilling in Scotland was still newly legal and small scale. In 1824 The Glenlivet became the first distillery in the Speyside region to be granted an official license—although at the time the Speyside region wasn't its own distinct region but was still part of the larger highlands region. As I'm sure is evident from the lack of global headlines, the sale of this historic whisky was done privately rather than through auction. 'I came across the Old Glenlivet 1843 quite by chance. I was truly astonished when I heard Mr. Lars Janssen—a seasoned spirits collector—mention the existence of such an ancient whisky bottle still perfectly preserved to this day.' Even for someone as used to handing rarities as Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet, the first sight of the oldest bottle of whisky in the world was a moment to remember. 'The first images of the bottle left me speechless for a few seconds; I simply couldn't believe such a treasure could still exist after nearly two centuries.' The bottle itself has been authenticated by David Maister. Maister is one of the world's leading experts on vintage whisky, who also works with the likes of Sotheby's, Bonhams, and other prestigious collectors. Mr Viet's initial surprise turned to action, fueled no doubt by the appeal of such a record for his collection, but also by the additional drivers of preservation. 'I began the journey to bring this precious bottle into my collection, believing that some opportunities in life only come once. Although the Old Glenlivet 1843 had never been on my "must-have" list, that very fact made this opportunity all the more special and cherished.' With the addition of the Old Glenlivet 1843, Viet now holds the oldest known bottles of all four major aged spirits, each officially recognized by Guinness World Records. Nguyen Dinh Tuan Viet' I would be curious to know what is in his 'must-have' list if that bottle was absent. Mr Viet already holds more than twenty Guinness records, which is testament to his astonishing dedication to collecting. When you have that kind of collection, which you have dedicated a lifetime to building, there is no favourite, instead there are stories that shine and resonate at different moments, and with different audiences. 'I've been fortunate to acquire many old and rare bottles, some of which have set world records for their age, value, or limited quantity. However, there are four bottles that hold a particularly special place for me, not only due to their rarity but also because of the personal significance tied to my collecting journey.' The four bottles Viet is referring to, are the four oldest unopened bottles of spirit from the four biggest spirits in the world. Which are: 'All four of these bottles have been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest intact bottles representing the four most prestigious categories of spirits: Cognac, Whisky, Armagnac, and Rum. These are the treasures I cherish most in my collection.' You cannot argue with those choices. I'd press anyone to look at any bottles of rare spirit across the world they have the honour of interacting with and picking others. As a custodian Mr Viet is steadfast in his collection and dedication to preserving these unique moments of history. In his own words, 'each bottle is a living chapter, narrating history through every single drop.'
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve whisky down to £24.90 at Amazon
The Glenlivet's Caribbean influence makes it a great base for cocktails | Amazon This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Infused with tropical notes from Caribbean rum casks, this Glenlivet single malt is down to just £24.90 at Amazon – the best deal anywhere. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... If you're shopping around for a great whisky to either while away a summer's evening, or to gift to your dad on Father's Day, your search might be over. Because Glenlivet's incredibly popular Caribbean Reserve Single Malt is a crazy price at the moment - just £24.90 on Amazon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It absolutely blitzes the deals at some of the supermarkets. Tesco, for example, is selling it for £41, while Drink Supermarket has it on sale for £34.99. It's a particularly interesting dram, too. Finished in casks that contained Caribbean rum, it imparts a very fruity flavour, with fresh hints of tropical fruits. So you can expect a classic caramel toffee flavour from the rum influence, followed by hints of mandarin orange, vanilla and honeydew melon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It means it's also an interesting base for a mixed drink because it'll pair with pineapples and peaches, for a refreshing summer cocktail. The £24.90 price is a limited-time deal, so we don't know how long it'll be available for. But it's a great discount while it lasts, so grab one while you can. 🔥 Free Samsung tablet? Don't miss this Sky Mobile Galaxy S25 deal (aff)
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve whisky down to £24.90 at Amazon
The Glenlivet's Caribbean influence makes it a great base for cocktails | Amazon This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Infused with tropical notes from Caribbean rum casks, this Glenlivet single malt is down to just £24.90 at Amazon – the best deal anywhere. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... If you're shopping around for a great whisky to either while away a summer's evening, or to gift to your dad on Father's Day, your search might be over. Because Glenlivet's incredibly popular Caribbean Reserve Single Malt is a crazy price at the moment - just £24.90 on Amazon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It absolutely blitzes the deals at some of the supermarkets. Tesco, for example, is selling it for £41, while Drink Supermarket has it on sale for £34.99. It's a particularly interesting dram, too. Finished in casks that contained Caribbean rum, it imparts a very fruity flavour, with fresh hints of tropical fruits. So you can expect a classic caramel toffee flavour from the rum influence, followed by hints of mandarin orange, vanilla and honeydew melon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It means it's also an interesting base for a mixed drink because it'll pair with pineapples and peaches, for a refreshing summer cocktail. The £24.90 price is a limited-time deal, so we don't know how long it'll be available for. But it's a great discount while it lasts, so grab one while you can. 🔥 Free Samsung tablet? Don't miss this Sky Mobile Galaxy S25 deal (aff) Snap up the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S25 5G and Sky Mobile will throw in a Galaxy Tab A9+ worth £259 – absolutely free! This offer - which we wrote about in detail here - runs until 26 June 2025, but once it's gone, it's gone. You'll get Samsung's most powerful phone yet – built for gaming, streaming and multitasking – from just £30 a month with zero upfront cost.
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Criminal proceedings, lack of 'moral probity' stop Pernod Ricard from re-entering Delhi
New Delhi: As global liquor conglomerate Pernod Ricard continues to remain barred from re-entering the Delhi market, the latest order from city's Excise Commissioner, Sunny K. Singh, has clearly mentioned that the "mere pendency of criminal proceedings, particularly involving allegations of economic crimes, justifies the exercise of caution and the denial of license privileges". In its 16-page order, while rejecting the French company's liquor licence renewal plea, the Excise Department cited "serious economic offences" and ongoing criminal investigations as justification for the continued denial. The Commissioner said that "the action of the Excise Department aligns with principles of public trust, moral integrity, revenue protection, and regulatory discretion as mandated under the Delhi Excise Act, 2009", sending a fresh blow to the maker of popular labels like Chivas Regal, Absolut Vodka and Glenlivet. This is the third consecutive rejection for Pernod Ricard. The company has been out of the key Delhi market since 2022 following the scrapping of the city's contentious 2021-22 excise policy under the then Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which triggered investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED had accused the French liquor major of gaining unfair market dominance by unlawfully supporting local retailers through bank guarantees. The CBI, however, did not formally charge Pernod Ricard in connection with the excise investigation. According to the Delhi Excise Commissioner's order, a copy of which has been seen by IANS, the Supreme Court and High Court have recognised that licensing authorities have the discretion to assess the moral character of applicants, considering pending criminal charges wherever relevant. "The final decision must be based on a thorough evaluation of the individual's conduct and the nature of the alleged offence. In light of the above principles and doctrines, the decision to reject Pernod Ricard India Private Limited's L1 license application vide order dated 13.04.2023 of Deputy Commissioner (Excise/Licensing Authority stands firmly grounded in legal jurisprudence and is therefore upheld forthwith," the order stated. In a statement, a Pernod Ricard spokesperson said: "This order pertains to our earlier FY22-23 license application." "While we do not agree with it, our main focus is on securing a fresh license for the current Financial Year. We will continue to pursue all legal avenues available to us. We remain confident in the strength of our legal position and look forward to resuming operations in Delhi at the earliest," the spokesperson added.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Forbes
After 100 Years, There's Finally A Single Malt Distillery In Edinburgh
Holyrood Distillery lies in the heart of Edinburgh I get a lot of questions about scotch whisky. Several times a week, someone asks me for a gift recommendation, solicits my thoughts on what bottle they should try next or sends me a picture of a drink menu, asking what dram they should order. To be honest, I love being a trusted resource. At the very least, I know I can help point someone in the right direction. In my opinion, there are no bad scotch whisky questions, and I want to hear them all. Until a few years ago, however, there was one question I dreaded. 'I'm going to be in Edinburgh for a few days. What distilleries should I check out?' I have a good answer these days, but for a long time, my response always started with a question of my own. 'How far are you willing to drive?' Holyrood Distillery Manager Calum Rae takes a unique, modern approach to whisky making. Scotland is a lot bigger than it looks. Even if you're vaguely familiar with scotch whisky, you've probably heard of brands like Macallan, Glenlivet or Glenfiddich. Those with a bit more knowledge under their belts might recognize names like Talisker, Lagavulin, Highland Park and Glenmorangie. There's no shortage of whisky distilleries across the Scottish Highlands, Speyside, and Islay. The problem is that Edinburgh and Glasgow—the two most popular tourist destinations in Scotland—are both located in the Lowlands, which is the most sparsely populated region for distilleries. Let's say a tourist in Edinburgh wants to visit a well-known distillery like The Macallan. Depending on traffic, it's a 3-4 hour drive from Edinburgh to Speyside. The trip gets even more complicated (requiring a ferry ride) if you want to reach Islay or many of Scotland's island distilleries. It's not that Edinburgh is bereft of whisky attractions. The Vaults is an incredible archive for members of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The Scotch Whisky Experience is open to the public and offers guided tours, tastings, and dining experiences . Glenkinchie Distillery is less than an hour from Edinburgh and worth a visit, especially if you're a Johnnie Walker fan, but that was the only local distillery option for a long time. The Lowlands region is finally recovering after a long period of dormancy for malt whisky production. Once known as the epicenter of whisky, there were over 100 Lowland distilleries in the 18th century. Various pieces of legislation by the crown, including the 1784 Wash Act, the 1786 Scotch Distillery Act, and the 1788 Lowland License Act, placed tremendous logistical and financial strain on Lowland distilleries, causing many to falter by the early 1800s. In the 19th century, the advent of the column still fundamentally altered the way distillers in Scotland produced whisky. With greater access to railways and other transportation infrastructure near major cities, Lowland distilleries began producing grain whisky for use in blends, which gained immense popularity throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Lowlands remain a central hub for grain whisky production to this day. There are six grain distilleries making whisky in the Lowlands—Cameronbridge, Girvan, North British, Invergordon, Strathclyde and Starlaw. Together, they produce over 430 million liters of alcohol each year. Malt whisky produced in the Lowlands also gained a reputation for being light and delicate in flavor compared to whisky made in other regions. After the market downturn in the 1980s, most of the remaining malt whisky distilleries in the area closed, leaving just two in operation by the mid-1990s. The 21st century has brought a revival to the Lowlands as the entire scotch whisky industry flourished in the 2000s and 2010s. Casks aging in a Holyrood Warehouse Holyrood Distillery was founded in 2019, setting up shop in the heart of Edinburgh. The distillery is located next to Holyrood Park in an area of town known as the 'Charmed Circle,' in a building that was once a terminus for trains carrying coal and malt to support Edinburgh's brewing industry in the 19th century. Despite the historic (and quite fitting) site they operate in, Holyrood is anything but traditional when it comes to their business model. Holyrood was founded by Canadian couple and long-time Scotch Malt Whisky Society members, Rob and Kelly Carpenter, as well as former Macallan master distiller David Robertson. From the very beginning, they sought to push the boundaries of scotch whisky production to create a wide range of flavors not typically associated with a single distillery. Unlike many legacy producers that adhere to decades (or sometimes centuries) of tradition, new-age scotch distilleries aren't bound by the constraints of legacy production that can restrict the flexibility of larger, stalwart brands. As Rob Carpenter succinctly puts it, 'We don't want to be pigeonholed.' Holyrood's unusually tall stills allow for a flexible distilling approach. The distillery takes a thoughtful and deliberate approach to its pre-distillation production, employing a wide range of traditional and non-traditional yeasts as well as heritage and specialty malts to create its whiskies. Depending on the flavor profile they're aiming for, their fermentation time usually varies from two days to five days. They have even experimented recently with a twenty-six-day fermentation to understand its impact on flavor. Their spirit stills are extremely tall, and the distillery utilizes a purifier with a cooling jacket to precisely control the desired amount of reflux. Their cut points can also vary significantly from one run to the next, ranging from clean and crisp new-make to oily and fruity spirit. Finally, like many newer distilleries in Scotland, they make both peated and unpeated whisky and can use both styles to control the amount of smoke influence they want in each expression, including no peat at all for some of their products. In other words, Holyrood has the means to craft whisky that spans the entire spectrum of flavor. The distillery operates under the mantra of 'Test. Learn. Improve. Repeat.' and thrives on a production model that's always evolving. Distillery Manager Calum Rae says that 'every day is a school day' at the distillery, and this approach means that they'll never make the same product twice. Holyrood's whiskies are crafted with a variety of yeasts, malts, and cask types A Scottish play on the word 'amber,' Ambir was crafted with seven different types of malt, ten different yeast strains, and four different cask types. Bottled at 49.8% ABV, this whisky features a sweet and fruity profile. Ambir appears light gold in the glass. On the nose, I find notes of strawberry, green apple, Greek yogurt and rose petals. This whisky is much richer with water, with notes of cheesecake, orange citrus, and caramel. Ambir is fruity and creamy on the palate, with notes of red berries, poached pear, clover honey, vanilla, a hint of pink bubblegum and light baking spice. Water brings out a toffee sweetness as well as toasted almond, cinnamon, and baked apple. There's a zestiness to this whisky that's refreshing, and not at all the kind of 'zesty' that's sometimes associated with whisky that's not mature enough. The finish starts with blood orange, then light brown sugar, a hint of chocolate, banana runts, and dried heather. Water brings a more well-rounded finish, with more cooked fruit, honey, barley sugars, a touch of earthiness, clove, and oak. Embra takes Holyrood's flavor profile into the lighted peated realm. Embra is a colloquial term for Edinburgh and is the distillery's foray into lightly peated whisky. Compared to Ambir, this is a much more straightforward product, created with a mere three different malts, seven yeasts, and three cask types, including peated Islay Quarter Casks. It's bottled at 43.6% ABV, but is non-chill filtered. This whisky presents a pale straw color. On the nose, notes of vanilla wafer, lemon peel, floral smoke and hints of tropical fruit. Water brings out ripe grapefruit, a leafy herbalness, and a touch of ash. On the palate, notes of apple pie, green melon, white pepper, grilled pineapple, more floral smoke and drying oak. It's oilier with water, with additional notes of shortbread, ginger, and biscuits. A sharp arrival on the finish brings more pepper, wood smoke, cherry, dried strawberry and clotted cream. With water, I detect a hint of salinity, pears, and a touch of chocolate. The one production factor that Holyrood can't control is time (though knowing them, I'm sure they've tired to create a time dilation field for their warehouses). Production began in September of 2019, so their oldest stocks are less than six years old as of mid-2025. Holyrood's innovative techniques and flexible approach to whisky making more than make up for its youth relative to the competition. As modern whisky makers have proven time and time again, older isn't always better. When someone asks me these days what distillery they should visit while they're in Edinburgh, it's easy to recommend Holyrood. It doesn't matter if they like their whisky light and fruity, heavy and oily, sweet or smoky, because no matter their taste preferences, Holyrood is truly making something for everyone. Follow me on Instagram at @singlemaltsavvy.
