LOCH LOMOND WHISKY - 50 YEAR OLD
Acting as creative directors, designers and makers on the upcoming release of Loch Lomond's oldest whisky to date: a 50-year-old single malt produced in the early months of the distillery, in 1967, forced us to delve deeply into the wonderful world of rare malt whisky (it's a tough job sometimes) The Distillery, on the banks of Loch Lomond, is one of Scotland's best kept secrets, and is highly progressive and fiercely independent. Combine this with their 'Never follow' ethos and a really special liquid, and you have a fascinating brief. Loch Lomond opened their doors and welcomed us in from the very beginning of the process, allowing us full access and exhaustive tasting sessions. This time spent on site with their passionate team; understanding the processes, people and heritage of the place, really allowed us to get under the skin of the project and create something special. Something fitting. There are precious few distilleries named after a body of water as opposed to a place, so we also drew inspiration from the power of Scotland’s most romantic, dramatic and historic loch. The feeling you get when you see moonlight dancing on the water – that chill down your spine – that is what we were trying to evoke. Each chest is individually sculpted at our workshop from solid oak, to appear to be a three dimensional manifestation of tempestuous water at twilight. This method of randomised shaping means that depending on the maker (and his mood) on that particular day, the form and ripple of the waves is one-of-a-kind. The surface is indigo-dyed until almost black, heavily waxed and brushed until smooth and silky, and lined in de-boss-detailed tan leather and polished brass. When it came to creating a miniature of the 50 Year Old (to taste) to secrete within the chest, we didn’t want to follow with an ordinary bottle. So hidden (in plain sight) within the chest is a solid turned brass vial, reminiscent of and paying homage to the distilleries unique straight neck ‘Lomond Stills’ The vial is highly polished and lined in glass. The Tempest film was created in close collaboration with our good friends at the Edinburgh Film Company, and includes music from longtime Method colluder Engine7 - with strings from our very own cabinetmaker/concert violinist Edward, and his talented wife Mari (recorded in a session which took place in our workshop, amongst the trees) Limited to 60 decanters worldwide Oak, leather, brass & glass