Whiskey Ever After

At the DFS Whiskey Festival in Singapore, Sumeet Keswani sat down with Darren Hosie, brand ambassador for Pernod Ricard and Chivas Brothers, over a dram of The Glenlivets latest single malt.

Tell us a bit about The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve.

This is the first major global single malt that’s using cognac casks for ageing. We first age it in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks, and then we use cognac casks to age it for at least six more months.

Why cognac casks?

When you’re trying to do something new, it’s not just for the sake of doing something new. It has to add complexity to the whiskey. Traditionally, The Glenlivet style is very sweet, fruity, with a creamy smoothness to it; the cognac taste and texture is more raisiny and syrupy. Hence, it doesn’t clash with our style; it complements it. If we had a more smoky whiskey, the cognac flavour would have clashed with it.

Give us a glimpse of its nose, tasting notes, and finish.