The Glenturret Still Life Summer is the third decanter in the series, inspired by balmy Scottish summers and the harvest at the distillery. It is priced at £5,500 RRP (~$7,250) and is available via The Glenturret website or direct from the distillery.
Bob Dalgarno & The Inspiration Behind The Glenturret Still Life Series
The Glenturret Still Life Collection comprises four decanters, each containing a whisky hand-selected by Bob Dalgarno, Whisky Maker at The Glenturret.
Dalgarno, who joined The Glenturret in 2019 following the distillery’s takeover by The Lalique Group, grew up in Speyside. Throughout his life, much of which has been spent in the whisky industry, he has watched the seasons change with awe. This stems not only from the changing landscape of Scotland every year but also from the extent to which the seasons play a role in whisky making. As such, The Glenturret Still Life Series reflects the seasons as Bob has experienced them in his Scottish home and at The Glenturret Distillery.
Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Speaking about the inspiration for the series, Dalgarno said: “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’…”
Must Read Stories
The Glenturret Still Life Series Summer 2024
Each decanter in The Glenturret Still Life Series represents a season: Winter, Spring, Summer, & Autumn.
The Winter Edition was released in November 2022, and the Spring Edition was released the following March. Each release coincided with the beginning of a new season, with the Scottish countryside aptly emulating the inspiration for each whisky.
The newest bottle in the series is The Glenturret Still Life Summer. Launching today (August 27th), the release coincides with Bob Dalgarno’s 40-year anniversary of working in the scotch whisky industry.
Selected from five Glenturret casks, all over 25 years old, the whisky in Summer combines three refill hogsheads and two first-fill sherry casks. The resulting whisky has a “vibrant character” that is balanced by the sweet richness of the sherry casks.
Inspired by the blooming barley fields, blue skies, and comforting summer evenings, Still Life Summer also represents the anticipation of the upcoming harvest, from which barley can be malted to make more whisky.
Bob says: “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.”
Tasting Notes
These tasting notes for The Glenturret Still Life Summer were kindly provided by The Glenturret:
“Sun-ripened tropical fruits, cinnamon and aniseed build the warmth. Aging oak floats on the breeze then drifts into sweet vanilla and undertones of warm harvested grain. Soft fruit and wood spices frame the sunset, gentle rays of rich pineapple dip towards the horizon, dusk is escorted by mellow fruits and aged oak.
“40.5% ABV. Natural colour.”
The Glenturret Still Life Autumn
With the release of Summer, there is only one more decanter left to be unveiled in The Still Life Series. The Glenturret Still Life Autumn will be available in 2025.
Stay tuned to The Whiskey Wash for news on this upcoming release.
About Lalique
Founded in 1888 by visionary artist René Lalique, Lalique is one of France’s most prestigious crystal glassmakers, celebrated for its distinctive craftsmanship and artistic flair.
Renowned as a luxury lifestyle brand, Lalique is known for its unique creations across six categories: decorative items, interior design, perfumes, jewelry, art, and hospitality. Since 1922, every Lalique piece has been meticulously handcrafted in the brand’s workshop in Alsace.
The Lalique Group acquired a majority stake in The Glenturret Distillery in 2019, paving the way for this stunning collaboration.
Once of Lalique’s most notable whisky collaborators is The Macallan, for which Lalique has designed many stunning decanters.
