Rare whiskies set for launch

William Grant & Sons is introducing a selection of some of its oldest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies onto the UK market this month.

Two new single malt and limited edition scotch whiskies are to be added to both the Glenfiddich and the Balvenie range in time for Christmas.

The Glenfiddich Rare Collection is a range of extremely rare and old whiskies dating back to 1925, and is targeted at the collectors' market with an RSP of £999.

A 1961 Vintage Reserve was chosen as the second Glenfiddich release by a panel of whisky experts, including the author of The Malt Whisky Companion, Michael Jackson.

The Balvenie Portfolio has been expanded with the release of a Vintage Cask 1968 and the Single Barrel 25-Year-Old - both of which have been drawn from a single cask and individually hand numbered.

Mark Jaffe, marketing manager of William Grant & Sons, said: "Globally, the majority of the whisky market is showing little, if any growth.

"The exception to this rule is the continued and significant growth that is occurring in the deluxe and single malt scotch whisky sectors."

Sales of the whiskies have been rising since UK distribution was switched from Allied Domecq to First Drinks Brands two-and-a-half years ago.