In partnership with BlockBar, Glenfiddich Distillery is releasing a rare 1985 cask bottling, with just 150 bottles estimated to be yielded from the cask. The whisky, which will be auctioned via NFT platform, BlockBar also comes with a VIP distillery experience and an overnight stay at a William Grant & Sons house on Glenfiddich’s estate. According to a brand press release, the lot is estimated at $750,000-$1,200,000.
There is much debate surrounding the usage of NFTs in the world of whisky. For a more detailed breakdown of what NFTs are, and how they are being used increasingly to transfer ownership in the whisky industry, see here.
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The Glenfiddich 1985 39 Year Old
This exclusive Glenfiddich whisky was distilled in January 1985 and matured in American oak for 16 years. Then, in December 2001, it was reracked into an Oloroso sherry-seasoned European oak cask. According to Glenfiddich, the resulting whisky boasts “layers of fruit, hearty oak and brown sugar sweetness, along with a hint of subtle spice, a rich texture and a wonderful mouth coating oiliness”.
Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, hand-selected the cask due to its uniqueness and complexity. Speaking about the whisky, and the collaboration with BlockBar, Kinsman said: “This exclusive cask bottling for BlockBar is a piece of Glenfiddich history. This is a true one-off. Glenfiddich 1985, is a stunning whisky that is in its prime. The colour is beautifully dark with an intense flavour that still has that Glenfiddich character at the heart of it. It’s a real piece of history.”
In September 2024, following the end of the sealed bid auction, the whisky from the cask will be bottled with an estimated 150-bottle yield. Each individually numbered bottle will be housed in an ebony lacquered presentation box. The cask NFT owner will also have the option to personalize the label.
How Will The Auction Work?
As mentioned above, this is not your average cask auction. In fact, this collaboration sees Glenfiddich continue the trend in whisky NFTs (non-fungible tokens). BlockBar will auction the one-off single cask and experience, with the winning bidder becoming the proud owner of a cask NFT.
When the cask is bottled in September 2024, the cask NFT will be converted into 150 individual NFTs, representing the 150 bottles from the cask. The buyer will then be able to redeem their NFTs for the bottles in February 2025. Alternatively, they can immediately sell or gift the NFTs straight after the auction.
According to the official press release: “Also included in the lot is an exclusive experience at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, for the owner and a guest. Immersing themselves within the legacy of this internationally acclaimed distillery, guests will enjoy a VIP tasting and distillery experience, dinner and overnight stay in one of the beautiful William Grant & Sons houses on the estate.”
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Bidding is now open, and you can place your sealed bid here. Bidding closes on July 24th, 2024.
BlockBar COO, Jamie Ritchie, said: “We are excited to continue our partnership with Glenfiddich with a truly rare opportunity to acquire an exclusive cask bottling directly from the Glenfiddich distillery. Tasting this incredibly luscious, rich, complex sherried 39-year-old with esteemed Malt Master Brian Kinsman, it perfectly illustrates the pioneering and innovative approach of the team at Glenfiddich and their dedication to the highest quality and retaining what makes Glenfiddich so special in every bottle. We are grateful to our partners at Glenfiddich for sharing the opportunity for one member, or a group of members, of our community to become the sole owner of this exclusive Glenfiddich cask bottling.”
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