The Girvan Patent Still reveals proof strength

This November, William Grant & Sons is set to release its fourth expression for The Girvan Patent Still single grain Scotch whisky. This 51.7%ABV limited edition release harks back to a time when gunpowder would be doused with a spirit and if successfully ignited, the ‘proof’ of the spirits quality was confirmed – gunpowder ignites at 57.1% alcohol strength.

Launched initially in the UK in time for Christmas, the edition is aimed at the whisky enthusiast looking to experiment. The Girvan Patent Still proof strength shows off the variety and versatility of single grain Scotch.

The packaging remains sleek and elegant. The slender bottle has a light, sophisticated feel to it and is available in a rigid box with a ‘picture frame’ to show off bottle and a metal badge on the side panels for a truly premium finish.

The release follows in the success of The Girvan Patent Still 25 Year Old, 30 Year Old and No. 4 Apps single grain whisky. It will be available in the UK initially plus additional markets in Europe, US and Asia in 2015.

Kevin Abrook, global whisky specialist at William Grant & Sons comments: “We’re thrilled to release a proof strength expression for whisky enthusiasts looking for something different – a vibrant, punchy single grain whisky with a surprisingly light aftertaste. The release demonstrates our commitment to quality and just how versatile single grain whiskies can be”.

The original Girvan Patent Still, known affectionately as “No 1 Apps”, a distillery term for apparatus, was built in 1963 under the stewardship of Charles Gordon, a whisky production pioneer and the great-grandson of William Grant. It was the most advanced distillery in the world at the time. Further innovation led in 1992 to Charles pioneering ‘vacuum distillation’ with the introduction of ‘No.4 Apps’. This distillation at lower temperatures, results in a very pure, clean-tasting grain spirit that balances perfectly with the vanilla notes from our American white oak casks during maturation.

The Girvan Patent Still continuous distillation method takes the finest cereal grains to produce a pure, fruity and clean-tasting grain spirit, which is lighter in aroma and character than most malt whiskies. It is then matured in first-fill American white oak, which adds flavour, character, colour and complexity. On the nose

The Girvan Patent Still – Proof Strength will be available at whisky specialists in the UK from November 2014. RRP £75.

9 October 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor