Bacardi Global Travel Retail’s latest launch from Aberfeldy Distillery – Aberfeldy Gold of Pitilie 28YO is a limited edition of just eight bottles that went on sale exclusively at the DFS Group-curated fourth annual Masters of Wines and Spirits presentation in Singapore on 8 November.
Crafted by master blender Stephanie Macleod, Aberfeldy Gold of Pitilie is a 28-year-old single Highland malt whisky and its Singapore release at SG$4,888 / US$4,000 per bottle is the oldest and rarest commercial bottling in the distillery’s 116-year history. Positioned within the Bacardi portfolio of discovery malts, with a commitment to age statements, this 28YO ultra-premium expression epitomizes Bacardi’s ambition to drive genuine innovation and disruption within the whisky category as part of its recently launched malts strategy.
The eight-bottle edition was drawn from a single hand-selected 1985 vintage cask and bottled by hand directly from the cask at the distillery, no more from that cask will be released, guaranteeing the edition’s rarity.
Irving Holmes Wong, Bacardi GTR regional director Asia-Pacific & MEA, comments: “This is Bacardi’s first experience with the prestigious DFS Masters of Wine and Spirits and we wanted to create something really special to celebrate our partnership with DFS for their most discerning customers. We’re continually seeking innovative ways in which to craft our unique discovery malt whisky portfolio to bring new excitement and added momentum that unlocks the exceptional potential of discovery malts to drive the category.
“Credible and memorable offerings of aged malts are increasingly rare and are highly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors, as witnessed by the speed of this sell-out success. The golden aura around this truly exquisite presentation highlights the ability of the Aberfeldy brand to support travel retail’s imperative to deliver stunning surprises to even the most discerning and experienced luxury consumer and to absolutely wow them when they travel. For Bacardi that’s a key aspect of our strategy to continually drive innovation and deliver a strong call to action in the whisky category.”
The name of this edition is taken from the distillery’s water source, the Pitilie Burn, a stream renowned for its alluvial deposits of Scottish gold, which is a crowning feature of the bottle’s bold and exquisite presentation and an essential element of its status as a rare and collectible ‘whisky treasure’.
The bottle is decorated in 22-carat gold using traditional ‘lost-wax’ casting (where metal is poured into a plaster cast evaporating away the wax in the mould) and the stopper features flakes of Scottish gold, one of the purest and rarest of golds which is panned by hand. Representing the natural flora found around the Pitilie Burn, individual fretwork metal elements have been hand assembled around a centre-piece of the distillery icon and with the age ‘28’ neatly hidden within the filigree attached to the bottle.
The collar repeats the decorative elements and is embossed with the words ‘The Gold of Pitilie’ inside the filigree. On the back of the bottle is a plaque with 24-carat gold plating detailing all the essential elements that combine to create the rarity of the bottle and its contents.
Each numbered bottle has a certificate of authenticity signed by the master blender and is presented in a luxurious high gloss black lacquered presentation case. Each presentation case required 12 weeks of crafting.
The Aberfeldy range in travel retail comprises three age statements: Aberfeldy 12YO, 21YO and the travel retail exclusive 18YO. The striking new packaging and bottle design prominently display the Royal Warrant, held by John Dewar & Sons since 1893. It is the only Scotch whisky distiller to continuously hold a Royal Warrant since the time of Queen Victoria, supplying the royal household for more than 120 years.
