The GlenDronach Distillery has announced the release of The GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage — the second expression created in collaboration with Dirtector Matthew Vaughn — to mark the upcoming release of “The King’s Man” by 20th Century Studios and MARV.
This 29-year-old single malt matured in Oloroso sherry casks before a final maturation in Pedro Ximénez casks from Spain.
This 1989 vintage is inspired by the oldest bottle of whisky housed at The GlenDronach Distillery — a twenty-nine year-old whisky bottled in 1913, just before the outbreak of the first World War. As the distillery tells the story, three friends had each purchased a bottle before leaving for war, vowing to open the whiskies together upon coming home. Tragically, only one friend returned. Having never opened his bottle, his family later gifted it to the distillery, where it remains unopened and displayed in remembrance of fallen friends.
The GlenDronach Master Blender, Dr. Rachel Barrie, collaborated with Vaughn on this whisky. “I have selected casks of the most exceptional character for this rare 1989 vintage, with smoldering aromas of dark fruits and sherry-soaked walnuts, vintage leather and cedar wood,” Barrie says. “On the palate, dense autumn fruits meld with date, fig and treacle, before rolling into black winter truffle and cocoa. In the exceptionally long finish, notes of blackberry, tobacco leaf and date oil linger to conclude the rich tasting experience. This expression is deep in meaning, paying homage to fallen friends who bravely fought during WWI, and the depth of character and integrity shared by both The GlenDronach and the Kingsman agency. This is none other than a whisky truly fit for a King’s Man.”
Filled from six casks from the vintage year, all 3,052 bottles have been labelled, numbered and wax-sealed by hand. Each is adorned with a bespoke Kingsman insignia. The gift box also bears the signatures of both Barrie and Vaughn.
The GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage is 100 proof. This limited-edition bottling will be available worldwide from Sept. 1, at the recommended retail price of $1,299 per 750-ml. bottle.
“There is an important line which says, ‘Reputation is what others think of you, character is what you are’,” says Vaughn. “Strength of character and dedication to upholding the highest values perfectly encapsulates the true spirit of both the Kingsman agency and The GlenDronach Distillery. I hope Kingsman fans around the world will enjoy this Single Malt as much as I enjoyed partnering with Rachel Barrie and The GlenDronach to create it.”
