Hidden treasures: Chivas Brothers’ new Secret Speyside range

Words by
Sphere Life

26th November 2019

There is much to discover this season within the Chivas Brothers’ new collection, featuring 15 exceptional rare whiskies from a selection of Speyside distilleries

Sometimes it takes time — and treasures from hidden depths — to perfect the quintessential drop. The Secret Speyside collection is an exceptional, highly valued collection of rare whiskies of the finest single malts, making it the perfect seasonal gift for connoisseurs. The 15 whiskies are drawn from four historic Speyside distilleries and aged for anything from 18-30 years. Steeped in exclusivity, some are in finite supply, never to be made again. Each one is distinct and rich in character, offering unplumbed depths of flavour, from smooth and fruity to peated and smoky.

This is the first time the Pernod Ricard-owned Chivas Brothers has tapped into the rarefied world of “lost” distilleries. Glen Keith, Caperdonich, Longmorn and Braes of Glenlivet are the four carefully selected distilleries within the Secret Speyside collection. Take Glen Keith, the first ever Speyside distillery built in the 20th century, which rose from the ruins of an old mill on the banks of the River Isla. The clear waters and green views of this revered distillery mark the birthplace of the signature Speyside Single Malt. Glen Keith is a rarely-released Single Malt. The Secret Speyside collection marks the first official age release this century from the landmark distillery, with three Glen Keith whiskies including a 21 year-old, 25 year-old and a 28-year old, all 43% ABV.

Hidden Treasures
Glen Keith stills

There are also three peated and three unpeated bottlings from fabled vanished distillery Caperdonich. The jewel in the crown is the 30-year-old unpeated, matured in first-fill American oak barrels with bursts of pineapple and honey.

Harking back to its glory days, when founder John Duff built a railway to expedite the spirits’ delivery time to whisky lovers, Longmorn has long been considered world class by distillers and blenders. Now those with a thirst for a superior toffee-infused dram can get hold of one of three from here. The 25-year-old is the perfect seasonal whisky, with notes of cinnamon, mandarin orange and sultanas.

Finally, reach for the standout 30-year-old from Braes of Glenlivet, with aromas of mango and marzipan.

The Secret Speyside collection is available now, exclusively in key airports as a global travel retail exclusive, before rolling out into selected markets globally from summer 2020.  Prices range from £95-700.

Discover more at secret-speyside.com