Owning a piece of Scotch history: Secure your legacy by bottling your own cask of ultra-rare whisky

In Speyside, Scotland’s foremost whisky-producing region, heritage runs through every cask, pot still and stone at the iconic Strathisla Distillery. As the oldest working distillery in the Highlands – and the spiritual home of renowned Scottish whisky house Chivas Brothers – a visit here is a pilgrimage for whisky enthusiasts. 

But for those who see legacy as the true measure of luxury, Strathisla holds something rarer still. 

Beyond a place to peruse fine whiskies, it is also the gateway to The Vault – a by-invitation-only experience that transcends tasting, offering rare access to Chivas’ most prized reserves and the chance to own a piece of Scotch history.  

Says Chivas Brothers archivist Robert Athol, “Most visitors come to Strathisla to look back at whisky’s past. The Vault is different – it is a chamber of history opened only to a select few, who will one day add their names to its story.”

A journey to experience true whisky heritage

The intimate private tour takes guests on a journey deep into Chivas’s storied history. It begins in Strathisla’s elegant lounge, surrounded by centuries of tradition through artefacts such as archival bottles and Royal Warrants dating back to the 19th century.

Guests are guided by both Athol and Sandy Hyslop – the director of Blending and Inventory – who together bring 60 years of experience, passion and craft to the world of whisky.

A private walkthrough of the working distillery takes you through production areas, from where the malted barley is milled to where the spirit runs from copper pot stills – all before you enter The Vault’s impressive whisky library. 

It is home to over 240 exclusive samples that showcase the breadth and depth of the Chivas Brothers inventory. These include new-make distillates, high-aged whiskies and one-off rarities. 

Here lies the crown jewel of the experience: an innermost sanctuary where 14 of Chivas’ rarest casks lie maturing. 

These casks are hand selected for their rarity, age and quality by Hyslop and cask master Kevin Balmforth through a meticulous vetting of Chivas’ vast reserves. 

Each holds a precious liquid of both quality and complexity – whether it’s the iconic Speyside single malt The Glenlivet; one of the last remaining whiskies from the now-closed Caperdonich distillery; or an exceptionally blended Scotch Royal Salute.

You will work with Hyslop (or one of Chivas’ Master Blenders) to select the casks to sample based on your personal preferences. Then, retreat back to the whisky library to enjoy your fully personalised tasting flight.

Bring home a piece of history

For those who choose to take their journey further, The Vault offers the rare chance to own one of these precious casks. Once acquired, the cask can be safeguarded within The Vault for up to a further four years of maturation, before it’s bottled and shipped.

As a final flourish, each bottle is personalised – with bespoke labels and packaging – creating an heirloom that is as much a reflection of the individual as it is of Strathisla’s centuries-old heritage.

And if purchasing a cask is not on the agenda, Strathisla invites you to take a peek into its secret Legacy Room, a hallowed space that houses some of Chivas Brothers’ rarest and limited releases. Each bottle encapsulates the spirit of Scotland’s whisky making legacy, a collectible that would no doubt make for a perfect addition to any proud whisky collection. 

“Every cask safeguarded inside The Vault demonstrates Chivas Brothers’ unrivalled quality, heritage and craftsmanship,” says Hyslop. “By opening the doors of The Vault, we are providing a one-of-a-kind opportunity for those visiting Speyside, bringing some of the world’s rarest and most remarkable whiskies into the spotlight for whisky connoisseurs and collectors to enjoy, savour and purchase.”

Your legacy deserves a place in The Vault. Here’s how to secure one of the 14 ultra-rare casks. 

Members of Le Cercle can also access exclusive previews such as The Vault on Tour – a replication of The Vault in Singapore for a glimpse of what can be expected at the actual Vault in Strathisla. Visit this website for more information. 

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