The Glenlivet Releases New, Rare Whiskies In a Completely Surprising Way

Online whisky marketplace The Whiskey Exchange has unveiled its first exclusive offering, The Glenlivet: The Twelve Elements. The collection features 12 one-off bottles, each representing the 12 elements needed to craft Glenlivet single malt: air, barley, cooper, copper, distiller, earth, fire, heritage, time, water, wood, and angel’s share.

Unveiled late last year, The Whisky Exchange Cabinet—set up by UK-based retailer The Whisky Exchange—provides access to unique spirits sourced directly from some of the world’s most beloved distilleries. It’s a blockchain-based marketplace, so buyers of the rare spirits gain a digital record of ownership, providing traceability and security if someone ever wants to resell their rare whisky. 

Two years ago, NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and blockchain became a somewhat surprisingly relevant part of the high-end spirits market. Johnnie Walker, Buffalo Trace, Ardbeg, and a slew of other whisky brands released bottles exclusively available via blockchain. Since then, the popularity of NFTs has tumbled, while blockchain-enabled marketplaces like The Whisky Exchange Cabinet have continued to gain momentum.

Related: The 15 Best Scotch Whiskies of 2024

The Glenlivet: The Twelve Elements were crafted from two single malt whisky casks that have been maturing since 1974, each selected to balance out the other. One is a first-fill American oak barrel that gives richness and structure, while the other a refill American oak hogshead that tempers the power and intensity of the barrel. The combo allows The Glenlivet’s character to shine.

“This whisky exemplifies the art of balance, where nature and human elements combine to create amazing whisky,” says Kevin Balmforth, cask master at Chivas Brothers, which owns The Glenlivet. “This truly exceptional liquid is a testament to the unique combination of the two hand-selected single malt casks. This required the patience and expertise of a long line of makers who presided over the casks for over half a century. This is one of our oldest official releases of The Glenlivet to date, a 50-year-old liquid that represents the continuous progression of our craftsmanship.”

The resulting whiskies offer aromas of soft red apple, maraschino cherries, pineapple, and apricot jam alongside notes of marzipan, cinnamon, milk chocolate, and honeycomb. The palate delivers more apricot and pineapple along with waves of carmel, dark chocolate, nutmeg, and toasted oak. The finish is long, elegant, and filled with warming spices.

Each of The Glenlivet: The Twelve Elements bottles is available for around $43,000 via The Whisky Exchange Cabinet.

Related: We’ve Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. These Are the Best in the World