Whisky Focus - Crurated Announces Expansion Into The Prestige Spirits Category

Crurated stands as a trailblasing online retailer revolutionising access to exquisite and uncommon goods and experiences. Offering insider privileges to top-tier lifestyle products and worldly experiences, Crurated brings individuals closer to their passions. At its core lies trust, integral to Crurated's foundation, spanning from product quality and traceability directly from suppliers to pioneering blockchain technology ensuring every purchase's authenticity.

In 2023, Crurated was unveiled as the designated auction partner for the esteemed Golden Vines Auction, overseeing the bidding process through their platform and implementing tailored software functionalities. Furthermore, the company has cultivated partnerships with industry leaders like Edmiston, a globally acclaimed yacht brokerage firm, and Satopia Travel, renowned for purpose-driven travel experiences.

After the triumphant sales of fine and rare wines on Crurated's retail platform, the brand today unveiled its latest stride into the realm of prestigious spirits.

Providing exclusive access to coveted collections and casks from around the globe, Crurated establishes direct connections between consumers and esteemed producers. Collaborating with renowned brands and emerging players in the industry such as Maison Lineti, a Samaroli bottling of The Macallan, The Glenturret, Royal Salute, Camus, Dictador, and Ballantine’s.

The first spirit to launch on the Crurated retail platform is, Samaroli Macallan Single Cask 1997, which is said to epitomise the pinnacle of Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Distilled in 1997 and bottled over 26 years later in 2023, only a limited run of 108 bottles of this Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky was produced. It is said to "boast a rich, dark amber hue from sherry cask maturation, this whisky opens with sweet, enticing notes of dark fruits like plums, morello cherries, figs, and dates. Its aroma evolves into a delightful medley of milk chocolate, dried fruits, and floral hints, accompanied by a subtle blend of spices like black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Transitioning into deeper tones, it offers sweet tobacco, liquorice, maple syrup, and black coffee. The palate experience is initially intense, then smoothes out to a lingering milk chocolate sensation, ending with an exceptionally gratifying and smooth finish."

Sourced by Samaroli, revered for their mastery in bottling, this liquid matured in a Sherry Oloroso first fill hogshead cask, forging a distinct expression where an esteemed independent bottler meets one of the world's most prestigious distilleries. Following a record-breaking auction where The Macallan 1926 became the most expensive wine or spirit ever sold, Crurated's inaugural whisky release, the Samaroli Macallan Single Cask 1997 fuses two realms of excellence into a single edition, inviting members to bid for this collector's item.

Handpicked by Crurated, this Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky hails from the world-renowned distillery, The Macallan. Distilled in 1997 at The Macallan's historic old distillery using pot stills, this rare gem represents a pure expression of a first-fill Oloroso Sherry cask, aged in the traditional Dunnage warehouse for ideal maturation conditions. Notably unique due to the distillery's restrictions on the use of its name for non-official bottling's since the early 2000s, this selection represents a truly exceptional find.

In close collaboration with Maison Lineti, pioneers of Vintage Whisky inspired by the world of Fine Wine, a groundbreaking milestone unfolds with 'First Drops,' marking the debut liquid release since the brand's inception in 2019. This intense and singular offering, 'First Drops,' will be exclusively accessible for purchase directly from the distillery via Crurated. Presenting a selection of three casks – ex-Bourbon first fill, ex-Cognac, and ex-Ruby Port (the latter two exclusively available through Crurated) – members will have the opportunity to bid for full casks, aging them to their desired duration. Subsequently, owners will be invited to bottle their bespoke liquid under the guidance of Maison Lineti's Whisky Master, Dr. Magali Picard. Born from entrepreneurial minds within the realm of fine wine, Maison Lineti crafts French Single Malt Whiskies embodying the essence and craftsmanship akin to iconic Grand Crus. Defined by a signature style encompassing vintage diversity, each Maison Lineti Whisky resonates with floral and mineral notes, complemented by a balanced acidity and a touch of freshness on the palate.

The assemblage of The Glenturret expressions introduces The Glenturret 50 Year Old, a rare gem from Scotland's Oldest Working Distillery, limited to just 150 bottles enclosed in a striking black crystal decanter by luxury French crystal house Lalique. Opening for bidding in early 2024, The Glenturret's Trinity Series in Lalique commemorates the distillery's pillars – Provenance, Prowess, and Passion – with only 320 decanters of each. Embracing craftsmanship, commitment, and patience, The Glenturret Provenance and The Glenturret Prowess celebrate the creation of a whisky enriched with depth and spirit. Additionally, rare single malts from the distillery's 2023 Core Collection, comprising the 25 Years Old, 30 Years Old, and 35 Years Old, will be available for bidding in early 2024.

An exclusive cask, handpicked by Crurated and bottled by Royal Salute, introduces a distinctive blend finished in a rare peated quarter cask, a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship, slated for individual bottle purchase in early 2024. Meanwhile, spring will witness the release of single bottles of Ballantine's 40-year-Old Scotch blended Whisky, Mezcal Amarás, known as 'The Macallan of Mezcal,' a collection of Dictador Rums, and further launches from Maison Lineti in the marketplace.

Establishing a lasting partnership with Samaroli, Crurated is set to unveil unique expressions from this esteemed bottler in 2024. This diverse portfolio encompassing Whisky, Rum, and Armagnac will feature two rare bottled cask Rums – Samaroli Caroni 1997 and Samaroli Jamaica H. 1993, offering distinct flavor profiles shaped by their aging environments – as well as Samaroli Springbank 1997, a Scotch Single Malt Whisky. Historical bottlings by Samaroli spanning Armagnac, Whiskies, and Rum will be available for bidding, each embodying Samaroli's meticulous cask selection, proprietary aging techniques, and expert blending, resulting in unparalleled spirits released in limited quantities annually.

"This move is a testament to the unwavering commitment by the Crurated team to deliver unparalleled access, quality and authenticity to our global community of members," notes Alfonso de Gaetano, CEO and Founder of Crurated. "Our team is changing the paradigm in spirits, as we successfully did with wine and will continue to do so as we expand into other verticals. Moving into the spirits market will excite our existing members, provide us with opportunities to attract new customers and nurture people’s passions across both categories and beyond."

Crurated advocates for inclusivity, believing that everyone, from newcomers to seasoned collectors and beyond, should have access to exceptional products. The platform offers four membership tiers, starting from complimentary explorer options and progressing to various paid levels. Additionally, there's an accessible 'shop' section available to all visitors. Each membership tier offers distinct benefits, from storing newly acquired fine wines to accessing rare vintages, exclusive events, and personalised services. Trust forms the bedrock of this community, reinforced by state-of-the-art technology and top-tier storage systems guaranteeing that purchases arrive in pristine condition. Each item comes with a unique blockchain code, ensuring transparency and safeguarding asset value.

Expect bi-weekly releases of new spirits, featuring an impressive array of Whiskies, Rums, Cognacs, Armagnacs, and more. Throughout 2024, Crurated plans to introduce additional releases and category launches, alongside a meticulously curated annual calendar of exclusive events with producers and artisans in the USA, Europe, and Asia.

As a trailblasing blockchain-based community, Crurated certifies the authenticity of every bottle sold through an NFT, ensuring direct sourcing from producers for all wines and spirits.
 

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