Whisky Focus - The Glenturret Still Life Summer Decanter Series by Lalique

The Glenturret distillery today unveiled Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno’s Still Life Decanter Series, crafted in collaboration with Lalique. This exclusive collection, inspired by the distinct character of Scotland's seasons and their impact on Bob Dalgarno’s journey at the distillery, features four exquisite Lalique decanters: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. There are only 105 bottles available globally for each edition, with each decanter encapsulating the essence of its respective season.

Bob explains that "From growing up in the heart of Speyside and throughout my career, distilleries have always been part of my life. From memories of standing in The Square, Aberlour, chatting with others who were waiting for the distillery vans - off to work at ‘the still’. Many of those I spoke to have since passed but the ‘stills’ and the memories remain.

"My working life has been shaped by the distilleries that I have been part of and by those who work, and have worked, alongside me. Encouraged by some, guided by others, I am forever grateful for their counsel.

"Alongside distilling, I have always had an interest in farming. As a youngster, I watched my father working the land on the family farm. My first job upon leaving school was on a local farm, where I learned to look after cattle, drive a tractor, plough, and sow barley – little did I know what a big part that crop would play in my future career. The memories forever will be part of my ‘Still Life’…"

The Glenturret Still Life Summer is the third decanter to be unveiled in the Decanter Series, crafted in collaboration with Lalique. Still Life Summer, launches today, August 27th, 2024, in celebration of Bob’s 40th year in the industry. Still Life Summer is said to capture the essence of long daylight hours, clear blue skies, warm days, and balmy evenings as we eagerly await the start of the harvest. With the arrival of the perfect summer, the fields come alive with activity—combines roar through golden crops, and tractors haul barley and bale straw.

Bob went on to say: "For The Glenturret Distillery, Summer is traditionally a quieter time with our silent season taking place. Historically this was partly due to a lack of water in the warmer months and the need for production workers to assist on farms during the busy summer – many farms were directly owned by, or linked to, distilleries. While modern times have changed this dynamic, most distilleries still observe some downtime in summer for essential maintenance.

"Whilst production may be quieter, farming never slows down and I enjoy watching the barley grow and change from green to gold under the warmth of the sun. Walking through the fields, chatting with farmers, and observing the crop’s progress is something I eagerly anticipate each year."

The whisky for Still Life Summer was carefully chosen from five Glenturret casks, each aged for over 25 years. Three refill hogsheads contribute a bright and lively character, complemented by the deep fruits and spices from two first-fill sherry casks.

The Still Life Decanter, designed by Marc Larminaux, Lalique's Artistic and Creative Director, is meticulously handcrafted at the Lalique factory in Alsace. Merging modernity with tradition, the frosted crystal decanter's shape reflects the curves of copper stills, while its polished lines symbolize the staves of casks that have aged the whisky over time. Each decanter is housed in a custom-made box, with colours that represent its corresponding season.

"Working in collaboration with Marc on the decanter design gave an insight into the craftmanship and dedication that crystal making demands. Just as a whisky maker carefully crafts a batch of whisky, a skilled artist must invest time and effort to create and achieve their desired result. Although our crafts are very different, Marc and I share a passion for attention to the smallest of details… Having worked with Lalique for many years, starting long before I came to The Glenturret, to be able to celebrate this relationship by creating Still Life – a true partnership between whisky and crystal – has been one of my career highlights" says Bob.

The final iteration of The Still Life series, Autumn, is set to be released in 2025, meanwhile The Glenturret Still Life Summer, with a RRP of £5500, is now available from The Glenturret distillery shop and online.

You will also find the current Glenturret whisky range available from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

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