The refined elegance of the Art Deco era is front and center in a new line up of Scotch whiskies William Grant & Sons recently debuted to honor Grant family member Janet Sheed Roberts. Known as the House of Hazelwood collection, the bottlings draw inspiration from prominent cities during the Art Deco period, which “influenced the world” during Roberts’ heyday (she died a few years back at the age of 110).
During her life, according to press materials, Roberts lived in Hazelwood House, a house close to the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland. Glenfiddich is owned by William Grant & Sons, hence the connection. This home, said to be full of Art Deco-inspired artifacts, had an important part in Roberts’ life and seems to be a fitting name for a whisky line.
“Janet Sheed Roberts was an elegant woman, and I wanted to create a whisky that would celebrate her extraordinary spirit,” says Master Blender Brian Kinsman in a statement. “The journey of creativity which led me to this unique whisky was one of distinction, challenge and utter delight.”
Information on each of the three blended whiskies is below, and it should be noted they will all initially be available in global travel retail starting next February and stretching through September. Afterwards they will be released into “a few select markets around the world.”
House of Hazelwood 25 Year Old was inspired by the classic elegance of Shanghai, a city which stood at the centre of Cathay elegance in the 1920s.
This release represents the Master Blenders’ most prized expression. Each rare single malt earned its place in Kinsman’s final selection, and the blend was then married in American oak, allowing sufficient time for the complex and diverse flavours to infuse and mellow. The resultant majestic whisky is unique, rare and very special.
NOSE: Caramelized brown sugar leads, accompanied by vanilla, maple, soft spice and hints of fresh sawn wood. Citrus notes and orange blossom linger in the background.
TASTE: An elegant combination of vibrant spice and vanilla sweetness on the palate. A long dry finish from the new oak.
FINISH: Caramelized sugar, and Soft spice.
House of Hazelwood 21 Year Old is inspired by the sultry beauty of Mumbai in the 1920s.
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This release represents a bolder, somewhat spicier and more robust whisky balanced to perfection by the ageing of some of its malts for 21 years in sherry casks made of European oak.
NOSE: Dried fruits and spice dominate, alongside a sticky sweetness reminiscent of rich fruit cake. A splash of water alters the balance and adds complexity with a subtle hint of tobacco leaf.
TASTE: Cinnamon, cloves and woody spice, with a dry finish. Water accentuates the sherry cask influence, bringing out the sweet oiliness of treacle, dates and polished leather.
FINISH: Spice, Molasses, and Resin.
House of Hazelwood 18 Year Old is inspired by the classic elegance of Paris in the 1920s.
This release reveals an elegant and classic whisky, perhaps the purest expression of Kininvie and Girvan spirits in the range, and married in tuns of Portuguese oak.
NOSE: Vibrant vanilla sweetness dominates the nose. Delicate oak adds complexity.
TASTE: Creamy toffee enhanced by soft oak undertones. A long and elegant finish. Approachable, yet refined by age.
FINISH: Vanilla, Creamy toffee, Soft oak.
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