If you inherited the remaining casks from one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries like Littlemill Distillery, how would you react? For some, the pressure may be too great. But for Michael Henry, the softly spoken Master Blender for the Loch Lomond Group, the honour gave rise to the “fascinating process” that has resulted in three new sought-after releases from Littlemill.
Like many of the oldest distilling sites in Scotland, Littlemill endured some ups and downs during its 230-year history before its final indignity – its destruction by fire – in 2004. Fortunately, the last few casks had been moved across the main road to the Loch Lomond distillery around the time that the brand and stocks were bought by the eponymous group. It was there that they fell into the “personal care and custodianship” of Henry who was determined to do them and the inspiring characters that crafted them justice.
It is these characters that have inspired The Vanguards Collection, which celebrates the figures who shaped both Littlemill’s illustrious past and, by extension, the story of the entire Scotch whisky industry.
The first chapter, released in September 2023, was dedicated to Robert Muir, who secured the distillery’s first license in 1773. While some documents claim distilling had taken place in the preceding year, it was King George III who officially sanctioned the ‘retail [of] beer, ale, and excisable liquors’ at this Lowland site and set the foundation for over two centuries of innovation. As Henry explains, they set about “overturning traditions in production…and quietly leaving their fingerprints on Littlemill and the wider whisky industry”.
Vanguards Collection Chapter One – Robert Muir, 45-year-old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 50.5% ABV.
Distilled on 11 October 11 1977, this luxuriously aged whisky spent its initial maturation in refilled American oak casks before being transferred for a six-year finish in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry hogshead.
It has a classic Sherried whisky nose with honey, Christmas pudding and rich apples, but also a hint of rye bread and grilled pineapple.
On the palate, there is brown sugar and vanilla – a freshly grilled crème brûlée, – with apple, lime and elderflower before you are led to grilled grapefruit and more citrus to finish.
250 individually numbered bottles – including original artwork from British artist Vic Lee reimagining the original licence granted in 1773 – are available, priced at £12,500.
The second chapter returns to the annals of the brand and honours Jane MacGregor, one of the first female licensees to take charge of a large-scale distillery in around 1823. MacGregor oversaw a significant increase in production at the site, and her ceiling-breaking legacy is commemorated in the 250 glass bottle stoppers produced by artist Bethany Wood, which will accompany this whisky. Speaking about the collaboration, Wood said, “I see glassmaking as a performance that has been very carefully planned – whisky has the same requirements in artistry, precision and patience,” adding “I was inspired by Jane’s story and the ceilings she broke through for her era”.
Vanguards Collection Chapter Two – Jane MacGregor, 47-year-old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 44.9% ABV
Distilled in 1976 and re-casked in 1996, this whisky was matured entirely in two refill Bourbon casks, showcasing a different side of Littlemill’s intricate character.
On the nose, there’s peanut brittle with a mix of stewed and ripe green apples and a touch of homemade ginger cake.
On the palate, this is a vibrant whisky which belies its age, with pineapple, peach and lime shining through before a surprisingly fresh finish of juicy fruit notes and citrus.
250 individually numbered bottles are available worldwide, priced at £14,500.
As well as the Vanguards Collection, the autumn of 2024 also sees the launch of Littlemill’s Cask Reflections series, which seeks to pay tribute to the brand’s pioneering past where triple distillation, column necked-pot stills and Saladin box maltings were used at varying times in the distillery’s history. This new annual collection will reflect these innovations through the use of rare cask finishes unlikely to have been available in the distillery’s heyday, to create a link between the different eras.
Cask Reflections No.1, 33-year-old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 49.1% ABV
Distilled in August 1990 and then matured in refill Bourbon casks before a four-month finish in a first fill Mizunara Hogshead, hewn from the highly sought-after, difficult to work with and heavily-spiced Japanese oak.
When asked about the series, Henry explained it seeks to “revive the spirit of discovery associated with Littlemill’s founding years and subsequent boom…to honour the liquid, enhancing its delicate Lowland qualities with the fascinating traits of the Japanese Mizunara oak”.
There’s an aggressive start to this whisky on the nose, familiar with a Mizunara finish, with dry oak spice, or “spice-driven oak” in the words of Henry. This is moderated somewhat by a hint of tropical fruit – particularly lime – and a sandalwood perfume.
On the palate, you will find red fruit and varnish – the inside of an old wardrobe, perhaps – with honey, kiwi and cinnamon, before a touch of watermelon and the return of the oak spice to finish.
570 bespoke Glencairn Crystal decanters containing this whisky are available worldwide, for £3,800. Each comes in a wooden display box adorned with Japanese art-inspired etchings.
While Littlemill Distillery has not produced a new spirit since 1992, these exquisite limited releases stand as a testament to its innovative spirit and position as an early trailblazer in the world of Scotch whisky and offer an exclusive opportunity for modern drinkers to hold a piece of whisky history.
The Cask Reflections and Vanguard Collections are available for purchase via the Littlemill website and other specialist retailers.
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All imagery courtesy of Littlemill Distillery.