If rooftops could talk, the distinctive twin cupolas that have presided over Strathisla since at least 1786 would have quite the stories. Scotland’s oldest continually operating distillery, a stone’s throw from Speyside’s River Isla, has been privy to the secrets that come with generations of whisky-making for centuries. Now, present-day owner Chivas Brothers is inviting whisky lovers into the hallowed buildings like never before. Enter Chivas Brothers’ The Vault and you’ll be offered the chance to taste and own a piece of whisky history.
More than just a place, The Vault is a bespoke experience curated to the whims and tastes of each individual guest (no more than six people at a time). It includes a tour of the distillery itself and the chance to taste from 240 samples not available anywhere else. From distillates to long-aged gems, one-off rarities to innovative cask experiments, these whiskies offer an extraordinary insight into the artistry and skill across the Chivas Brothers’ production and blending teams.
Step even deeper into The Vault and guests can sample and ultimately purchase from a curated selection of 14 casks, none of which have been available to buy before. The current selection spans a 19-year-old Aberlour first-fill American oak barrel, one of the oldest remaining casks of its kind, all the way through to a peated 30-year-old Caperdonich refill hogshead, an extraordinarily rare cask from the ghost distillery’s oldest parcel. Each has been handpicked by director of blending and inventory Sandy Hyslop and cask expert Kevin Balmforth, who have 60 years of industry expertise between them.
‘Whisky lovers looking to own an exclusive cask won’t just be tasting the whisky,’ says Jacques-Henri Brive, global head of luxury at Chivas Brothers, ‘they’ll be travelling through a whisky time capsule and taking home a slice of Scotch history’.
As such, he says, The Vault was created for discerning whisky lovers who ‘crave a dash of luxury and exclusivity when they dive into the world of Scotch’. It’s about appreciating the intricate subtleties of these ultra-rare expressions. ‘Think of it as not just sipping on whisky but really soaking in the whole atmosphere with a rare opportunity to experience unusual whiskies, as well as purchase a hand-picked cask.’
It’s about appreciating the intricate subtleties of these ultra-rare expressions
For Hyslop, selecting the casks for The Vault required a laser-focused eye for quality and character. ‘Our criteria included flavour balance, rarity, and maturation nuances, such as the 25-year-old Longmorn with its ripe white currant and ginger spice notes,’ he adds. And there’s an exciting extra detail: The Vault was purpose-built to allow an additional maturation period of up to four years.
‘The four-year storage period ensures that the casks, already at peak maturation, can further develop according to personal preferences,’ he explains. ‘This allows the whisky to enhance its intricate flavours and characteristics or be held for an upcoming event – to match the age with a birthday, for example.’
Brive assures that there will always be 14 casks available, with Hyslop and Balmforth meticulously monitoring casks to be brought into The Vault as others are snapped up. ‘This ongoing process allows us to present an unparalleled selection of whiskies to our visitors.’ Prices do, as one might expect, reflect the rarity and provenance of the casks on offer. The 30-year-old Caperdonich is the most expensive, coming in at ‘between high five and low six figures’, he says, due to its scarcity. But there is a ‘considerable’ range – and, I am told, no option to trade casks after purchase.
The Vault, which opened its doors last year, has come along as whisky tourism continues to flourish across Scotland. In 2022, over two million visitors set foot inside a whisky distillery. Spend-per-head has also soared, climbing 8.6% from 2019 to 2022. Brive says this shows guests are looking for more than just a drink. ‘They want to dive into the heritage and the craftsmanship that goes into making these distinguished brands. It’s about experiencing the whole story behind the whisky.’
The purpose is to look ahead too. ‘Our ambition is to shape the future of Scotch whisky and we’re seeing a growing appetite for luxury, customised whisky experiences, which mirrors the continued growth seen on our harder-to-source, prestige releases,’ Brive adds.
A visit to The Vault calls for an overnight stay at Linn House, Chivas Brothers’ ultra-luxury whisky retreat. Visitors can cocoon themselves in the sumptuous 12-bedroom residence and turn their decadent experience into a truly spectacular one.
The Vault is a foray into the company’s rarest whisky stocks at Scotland’s oldest continually operating distillery. ‘Each journey into The Vault is a bespoke adventure, perfectly tuned to guest’s personal palates, ensuring a one-of-a-kind, exclusive experience,’ Brive says. It is an ‘odyssey through time and craftsmanship’.
