The first three single malt Whiskies from the new Jim McEwan Signature Collection are set to hit auction next week, and include Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, and Octomore bottlings. McEwan is best known for helping revive the now iconic Islay distillery in 2001.
The Jim McEwan Signature Collection comprises nine Scotch Whiskies across three editions, each from a single cask Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, and Octomore from McEwan’s personal reserves. Bottles numbered one to 20, and number 88, from editions one and two of the new collection will be auctioned by Whisky Auctioneer from March 11 to 15.
Winners of bottles 1-20 and 88 will be given first refusal on that same bottle number in successive releases, allowing them to complete a full collection of the same bottle numbers.
“It’s wonderful to see this collection of my final casks bottled and ready to be enjoyed,” said McEwan. “From starting in the whisky industry aged 15, I can see no better way to mark the ending of a career than to release my own personal collection. This collection really speaks for itself in terms of quality, just like each of the whiskies I’ve ever produced.”
The Islay single malt Whiskies were distilled under the supervision of McEwan and bottled by Scottish independent bottler Dramfool.
“The Jim McEwan Signature Collection embodies a true industry icon’s passion for the liquid he has spent most of his life creating, as well as the Island he calls home,” commented Joe Wilson, head of auction content at Whisky Auctioneer. “It’s a pleasure to bring the first edition bottles to our online auction in partnership with Dramfool.
“These are the final casks to be selected by Jim during his time at Bruichladdich and the whiskies he has personally deemed to be amongst his finest creations. We’re sure Islay whisky lovers around the world will be incredibly excited to learn about the collection’s release, and to try these whiskies for themselves.”
The first edition bottlings have been entirely matured in first-fill wine casks from a French châteaux, and includes a 13-year-old Octomore matured in a Sauternes barrique.
The 2007 Octomore bottling comes in at 57.5% ABV and is limited to just 290 bottles. On the nose, the Whisky offers aromas of peat fires, sweet oak, bog myrtle, heather flowers, and wild thyme. The palate features French oak, peat smoke, and sweet barley.
In addition, the sale will include a Bruichladdich 2007, matured in a first-fill Bordeaux cask and aged for 13 years. Bottled at 61.8% ABV, the Whisky is limited to only 265 bottles. On the nose, it delivers notes of ripe grapes, sweet oak, and hot-washed malt. The palate ranges from fruity to floral to wine-like citrus.
Bottled at 60.9% ABV, just 299 bottles of the Port Charlotte 2007 were created. It was matured in a first-fill Bordeaux cask and aged for 13 years. The expression delivers aromas of peat smoke and coastal wildflowers, along with a palate of ripe grapes and coastal marine overture.
Each Whisky in the Jim McEwan Signature Collection has been bottled at natural cask strength and colouring, and is non-chill filtered.
Bruichladdich fans will also have the opportunity to bid on an exclusive private tasting experience with McEwan during the auction. All proceeds raised from the experience will be donated to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
Last month, Bruichladdich released its Islay Barley 2012 Scotch Whisky. The new offering will replace the Islay distillery’s 2011 vintage.