Glenlivet 14 Year Old Creag an Innean
70cl / 61.2%
£179.00
- Cask type: Oloroso Sherry Butt
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Speyside
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
Tasting Notes
Floral, Honey, Apples and Pears
Sherry, Grapes, White Pepper and Honey
Long Finish, Honey, Sherry, Malt and Perfume
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An exceptionally rare, single cask, cask strength Glenlivet, fully matured in Oloroso sherry and bottled exclusively for the Scandinavian market.
At-a-Glance:
| Distillery: Glenlivet | |
| Bottler: Distillery Bottling (Pernod Ricard) | |
| Country & Region: Scotland, Speyside | |
| Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | |
| Age: 14 Year Old | |
| Vintage: Not stated by the producer | |
| Bottled: February 2017 (Implied) | |
| ABV & Size(s): 61.2% / 70cl | |
| Cask / Treatment: Fully Matured in a Spanish Oloroso Sherry Butt (Single Cask #58013) | |
| Natural Colour: Yes (Non-Chill Filtered) | |
| Non-Chill-Filtered: Yes | |
| Cask Strength: Yes (61.2% ABV) | |
| Bottle count / Outturn: 618 bottles | |
| Intended channel: Exclusive Scandinavian Market Release | |
| Packaging: Original Box | |
| Notes on discrepancies: The 61.2% ABV meant it was not legally sold in Norway due to strength regulations. |
- Historical Context:
The Glenlivet Distillery, founded in 1824, is one of the pillars of Speyside single malt. The "Creag an Innean" bottling is named after a geological feature near the distillery. This specific release is a modern example of high-end single cask bottlings, which are created by distilleries to reward dedicated club members or exclusive regional partners.
This 14 Year Old Creag an Innean is an extremely rare Single Cask release, bottled by the distillery in February 2017 (based on the age statement and vintage code). It was matured entirely in a single Oloroso Sherry Butt (Cask #58013). The importance of this cask treatment is paramount: full-term Oloroso maturation provides deep, rich, dried-fruit notes and colour, defining the liquid's profile.
The bottle's rarity is compounded by its market strategy: it was meant exclusively for the Scandinavian market. However, a fascinating historical footnote is that due to its high strength of 61.2% ABV, it was actually not legal to sell in Norway (a part of its intended market) due to local alcohol strength regulations. This regulatory hitch immediately increased the liquid's scarcity and desirability among collectors who value unique, high-strength bottlings. The minuscule outturn of only 618 individually numbered bottles guarantees its status as an elite collector's piece.
- Technical Specification & Variant Map:
The Creag an Innean is defined by its cask strength and single cask exclusivity.
2.1 Documented variants:
- 61.2% ABV/70cl is the single, cask strength format.
- Single Cask #58013, 14 Year Old Age Statement.
- Outturn is precisely 618 individually numbered bottles.
- The cask is confirmed to be a Spanish Oloroso Sherry Butt (full maturation).
Variant Matrix:
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 61.2% (Cask Strength) | 70cl | Scandinavian Exclusive | Single Oloroso Sherry Butt, Outturn 618 bottles | Highest (Extreme scarcity, high proof, and full sherry maturation) |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist:
The label must clearly state the 14 Year Old age, the cask strength (61.2% ABV), the single cask number (#58013), and the bottle number (e.g., #436 of 618). The liquid is confirmed to be non-chill filtered and natural colour. Its Scandinavian exclusivity confirms its specific target market.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes:
The liquid is Single Malt Scotch Whisky, bottled at Cask Strength (61.2% ABV). Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) status is confirmed. Oloroso Sherry Butt maturation guarantees a deep, dried fruit, and nutty profile.
- Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes):
The profile is intense and rich, dominated by the Oloroso sherry influence, balanced by classic Glenlivet fruitiness.
Nose: Lightly floral at first, with dominant notes of honey, apples, and pears to follow. The cask influence provides a spicy backdrop.
Palate: The palate is intensely sherry-driven, yet gentle, featuring sweet grapes and white pepper mingling with honey and malt. The texture is robust due to the cask strength.
Finish: Long and persistent, showcasing honey, sherry, malt, and a delicate perfumed note.
With water: Not stated by the producer, but advised for a 61.2% ABV strength.
- Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP):
The Glenlivet Creag an Innean is a rare and highly volatile asset, with high pricing driven by the scarcity of the single cask and cask strength bottling.
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): 179.00 GBP.
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): 100.00 GBP (Aug 2024).
Pricing stratification: The 61.2% ABV, single cask format commands the retail premium of 179.00 GBP. The auction hammer price of 100.00 GBP confirms strong collector demand at a price well below its speculative retail value, indicating a healthy margin potential.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is low due to the strict 618-bottle limitation. Sourcing is competitive and restricted to the secondary market.
Price Snapshot:
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Retail (Specialist) | Current | 70cl / 61.2% ABV | 179.00 | UK Retail Listing |
| Auction (Hammer) | Aug 2024 | 70cl / 61.2% ABV | 100.00 | Winning bid |
- Distillery/Bottler Snapshot (brief)
The Glenlivet Distillery, founded in 1824 and owned by Pernod Ricard, is the original Speyside malt. The distillery is known for its classic, light, fruity, and floral style. Although its core range is bottled at 40% ABV, its single cask program allows it to showcase powerful, cask-strength malts. The vast majority of its production is non-peated and matured primarily in ex-bourbon and traditional oak casks, making these full-sherry single cask expressions highly prized variations of the house style.
- Sourcing:
- Target formats/eras to prefer: The 70cl, 61.2% ABV, Single Cask #58013 bottling.
* Red flags to avoid: Ensure the ABV is precisely 61.2% and verify the cask number and bottle outturn of 618. Avoid bottles lacking the original box.
* Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): The original box and label condition are critical for high valuation. High fill level is essential for a cask strength bottling.
* Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: Velocity is moderate. Margin potential is strong when sourced near the auction hammer price (100.00 GBP).
