SCOTTISH distiller Tomatin has revealed three new expressions from The Antiquary, as it relaunches the brand with a ‘bold’ new look and vision.
The latest releases are said to focus on flavours that appeal to modern drinkers while reflecting the history of the brand and its reputation for offering an unusually high malt content.
The trio of blends use Highland and Speyside malts with Lowland grains:
- The Antiquary 15-Year-Old (£45) has been married in Bordeaux red wine claret casks.
- The Antiquary 21-Year-Old (£100) imparts its distinctive flavour from Tawny Port casks sourced from the Symington Family Estates in Portugal.
- The Antiquary 30-Year-Old (£275) has been married for more than three years in sherry casks sourced from Jerez.
Each blend will be presented in new packaging. The redesigned bottle, similar to antiques of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, are designed to accentuate the brand’s vintage style with a modern edge.
The new range is a result of research from Tomatin’s global brand ambassador and blender, Scott Adamson, who used his academic background in history to uncover details of The Antiquary’s heritage and the techniques of its founders before bringing it into the current day.
He said, “Although Tomatin is a modest producer in today’s terms, it was once the biggest distillery in the world, and we are very fortunate to have a vast collection of incredibly high-quality whiskies from around Scotland. This provided us with a fantastic arsenal to work with when it came to the creation of these three new releases for this important milestone in The Antiquary’s history.
“J&W Hardie (founders) were passionate about working with the finest whiskies and understood the complexity of cask maturation, all with intricate attention to detail. Our work has been inspired by these traits but looking at it through a new lens to appeal to self-expressionists inspired by history. The blends have enjoyed unusually long marriages, using casks that bring plenty of character to this exciting new era for The Antiquary.”
Derek Scott, Tomatin Distillery marketing director, added, “Following in the footsteps of J&W Hardies’ legacy, we continue their passion for curiosity and invention. We know how much the whisky landscape is changing and, with the steady revival of blends, it feels like the ideal time to give The Antiquary brand a new lease of life.
“Scott and the team have developed an exciting premium range to bring to market, which is enhanced by the distinct and bold packaging design that appeals to today’s consumers. This launch is a call to those who enjoy nostalgia and exploring their own style, which we hope inspires them to enjoy The Antiquary.”
