Chivas unveils a new half-century-old whisky

Chivas Brothers has unveiled another exclusive new whisky. It’s the second release in The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, aged 56 years. Old, luxurious, and exceptionally exclusive.

Last year, The Glenlivet introduced the first whisky in the Eternal Collection: a 55-year-old bottling released in extremely limited quantities. It was announced then that this would be an annual release.

Now it’s time for the second release—one year older and even more exclusive than its predecessor. There is only a single bottle of this 56-year-old single malt.

Kevin Balmforth, master blender at Chivas, worked with sherry suppliers in Spain to craft a bespoke cask for a unique “spice blend.” The cask is built from staves of Oloroso, PX, and Palo Cortado barrels.

Part of the whisky matured in this custom cask, while another portion aged in an American oak cask. The result is a whisky with great depth and spicy nuance.

This whisky isn’t simply bottled—it’s housed in a work of art. The decanter is spherical with a 24-carat gold finish, resting on a bespoke plinth. The piece is created by renowned artists Fredrikson Stallard, featuring 3D-printed heather branches gilded in 24-carat gold, standing on a base of Guatemalan green marble.

Inspired by the dramatic landscapes of Speyside, the design reflects both the whisky’s complexity and the rugged beauty of its Scottish homeland.

This whisky isn’t sold off the shelf—it’s going under the hammer at Sotheby’s. On November 20, the winning bidder will take this artwork home.

Expectations are that it will fetch between £35,000 and £70,000. Proceeds will support National Trust for Scotland excavation work in the Cairngorms.