Independent bottler Hannah Whisky Merchant, known for its Lady of the Glen range, has revealed its new collection. The Samhain Series comprises six limited-edition single-cask Scotch whiskies, united under the theme of Samhain, a Celtic festival which predates modern Halloween.
Each of the six whiskies pays homage to a local Scottish legend, brought to life through labels designed by illustrator (and occasional Whisky Magazine blind taster) Steven Shand.
The six whiskies included in the Samhain Series are:
- Grizel & the West Bow Saint — 30 Years Old, single grain, distilled at North British Distillery. Aged in refill peated octave cask, limited to 57 bottles.
- Hunting for the Gorbals Vampire — 5 Years Old, Lowland single malt, distilled at Glasgow Distillery. Aged in refill octave cask, limited to 62 bottles.
- The Devil Checkmates the Wolf — 10 Years Old, Speyside single malt, distilled at Auchroisk Distillery. Aged in first fill ex-Pedro Ximénez octave cask, limited to 62 bottles.
- The Each Uisge of the River Spey — 10 Years Old, Speyside single malt, distilled at Benrinnes Distillery. Aged in first fill ex-Pedro Ximénez octave cask, limited to 55 bottles.
- The Ritual of Oak & Mistletoe — 10 Years Old, Highland single malt, distilled at Teaninich Distillery. Aged in first fill ex-Pedro Ximénez octave cask, limited to 46 bottles.
- The Witch of Beinne A’Ghlo — 10 Years Old, Highland single malt, distilled at Blair Athol Distillery. Aged in refill octave cask, limited to 53 bottles.
Gregor Hannah, founder of Hannah Whisky Merchant, commented: "I've wanted to collaborate with Steven since seeing his contemporary illustration of Tam O'Shanter at the Fife Whisky Festival. His use of colour and detail was both a feast for the eyes and unsettling in a good way.
"We decided to celebrate Scotland's Samhain festival by pairing richly illustrated Scottish stories with distilleries from the same regions. For the series, we selected some of our finest 40-litre octaves to highlight a broad range of rich flavours that would stand out like the stories themselves."
The Samhain Series isn't the first time Hannah has taken inspiration from the supernatural — the series Lady of the Glen is a tribute to the 'Green Lady', whom legend says haunts Stirling Castle.
The Samhain Series is available via the Lady of the Glen website and specialist retailers.
