Strathspey Reserve 21 Year Old Edinburgh Cask
70cl / 40%
£99.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Speyside
Tasting Notes
Smoky, Liquorice, Aniseed, Fruits
Peat, Fruits, Spices
Medium Finish, Peat
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A 21-year-old limited-edition blended Scotch from the Edinburgh Cask series, created for premium travel-retail.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Bottled by William Grant & Sons Ltd (Scotland) under the Strathspey Reserve name; region: Speyside / Scotland. |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky. |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 21 years old (maturation period); vintage or exact distillation year not publicly disclosed. |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40.0% ABV; 70 cl (standard size) in many listings. |
| Cask / Treatment | Not stated in detail by the producer; small-batch blends drawn from Rare Cask Reserves. |
| Natural Colour | Not stated. |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated. |
| Cask Strength | No – standard 40% ABV. |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated; one source says “small batches (11) for airports” but no exact bottle count. |
| Intended channel | Travel retail / limited edition series (Edinburgh Cask series) targeted at international/duty-free markets. |
| Packaging | 70 cl bottle, standard presentation for limited edition; labelled “Edinburgh Cask” series, 21 Year Old. |
| Notes on discrepancies | Some sources state 70 cl, others may list 75 cl or 70 cl depending on market; ABV uniformly 40% for this edition. If you see ABV other than 40% or size other than 70cl, verify against the “Edinburgh Cask” series label. |
Historical Context
The Strathspey Reserve 21 Year Old (Edinburgh Cask) is part of a limited series by William Grant & Sons, crafted for the travel-retail environment. One description indicates it was “created in small batches … especially for Edinburgh airport”. The “Edinburgh Cask” tag implies this series was designed for duty-free or airport retail channels. The release draws on “Rare Cask Reserves” from the William Grant & Sons inventory, blending mature stocks to deliver a premium age-statement blend. Given its 21-year maturation and small-batch nature, this edition occupies a more niche position within the blended Scotch category, aimed at collectors and travellers rather than mass-market blends.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
2.1 Documented variants
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Strathspey Reserve 21 Year Old Edinburgh Cask – 70 cl, 40% ABV.
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Alternative listings mention 70 cl, 40% ABV but designate varied airport codes (e.g., Cancun or Heathrow or other duty-free sites) – some source notes indicate “11 small batches released for various airports around the world”.
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No publicly documented variant at higher ABV or larger size under this exact name detected.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40.0% | 70 cl | Travel retail / duty-free | Label “Edinburgh Cask – 21 Years” – mid-2000s to 2010s era | Moderate to high among limited blends; premium vs standard blends but less known than single malts |
| 40.0% | 70 cl (airport variant) | Specific airport duty-free point (e.g., Cancun/Heathrow) | Same age but variant labelling/packaging | Possibly higher desirability if provenance is confirmed and bottle is from more exotic location |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist
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The bottle should clearly carry branding “Strathspey Reserve – 21 Year Old – Edinburgh Cask”.
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Closure: typical screw-cap or occasional cork for duty-free; check for intact seal and no tampering, especially given travel-retail context.
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Capsule: duty-free bottles often have tax or duty-free stickers or airport-specific stamps; verify for correct region code if listed.
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Fill level: as a 21-year-old blend, confirm bottle fill at neck-base or better; low fill may indicate ageing, seepage or top-up.
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Label: the back label often indicates “Bottled by William Grant & Sons Ltd”, maybe “Rare Cask Reserves” or similar wording.
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Beware look-alikes: other Strathspey Reserve blends might exist with different ages; ensure “21 Years” and “Edinburgh Cask” branding.
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Condition: since duty-free bottles may have been carried or transported, check for label scuffing, capsule damage, or evidence of being opened.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes
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Being a blend and 21 years old, it qualifies under Scotch whisky regulations for matured spirit.
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The term “Blended Scotch Whisky” applies (as opposed to “single malt”).
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No indication of natural colour or non-chill-filtered status; assume standard production unless stated otherwise.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
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Nose: A review describes “rich, intense smokiness, liquorice, hints of aniseed and subtle fruit”.
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Palate: “Very bold… peat notes dominate initially, then layers of sweetness, fruit and spice develop.”
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Finish: Not detailed further in the publicly posted notes; presumed to carry the smoke and spice forward.
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With water: Not documented by the producer.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
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Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer.
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Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Past online listing approx €84 (~£73) for 70 cl, 40% (this is EU pricing, conversion only indicative).
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Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): Examples of “Edinburgh Cask” small batches show this edition as discontinued and higher scarcity – one online listing indicates “discontinued, will not be re-stocked”.
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Pricing stratification: Because this is a limited, duty-free oriented blend at 21 years, it commands premium vs standard blends; better provenance (airport code or bottle number) adds value.
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Liquidity & sourcing note: Availability is low as the release is discontinued and travel-retail only; condition, provenance and fill are key. Many bottles may have been consumed by travellers rather than retained. Turnover may be slower compared to mainstream blends.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail listing | Undated | 70 cl, 40% | ~£73 | EU listing (~€84) when available – older stock. |
| Auction listing | Undated | 70 cl, 40% | Not published publicly | Limited small batch; scarcity noted. |
| Retail listing | Undated | 70 cl, 40% | “Discontinued” marker | Secondary market asking may be significantly higher if condition is excellent. |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
William Grant & Sons is a Scottish family-owned drinks company that oversees brands such as Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Grant’s blended, and various other holdings. The “Strathspey Reserve” name is a brand used for limited small-batch blends utilising the company’s cask reserves. In this instance, the 21 Year Old Edinburgh Cask edition draws from Rare Cask Reserves and is targeted to travel-retail markets as a premium blend offering. Its position is more niche compared to flagship blends, intended to appeal to travellers and collectors.
Sourcing
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Target formats/eras to prefer: Look for sealed 70 cl bottles labelled “21 Year Old – Edinburgh Cask”, ideally with airport or travel-retail provenance (e.g., duty-free stickers, airport code).
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Red flags to avoid: Bottles lacking the “Edinburgh Cask” label, inconsistent ABV, fill level below neck-base, missing duty-free sticker if originally travel-retail, significant label damage.
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Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Prioritise full fill level (base of neck or above), intact capsule, clear labels, ideally original box (some travel-retail editions have gift boxes).
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Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative: Moderate velocity: collectors of blends and airport editions will show interest, but mass appeal is limited; margin depends on acquisition cost and condition.
