1953 Auld Alliance
Produced in the year of the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth
II in 1953. A pair of single vintage, single cask expressions from
Hine & Glenfarclas beautifully adorned with hand-made obelisks
from the Royal Warrant holding Cabinet maker Neil Stevenson.
1953 Single Family Casks
OBELISKS
Obelisks rose to prominence in ancient Egypt as tributes to the sun and were often placed in pairs at the
entrance to temples or pyramids. Later, in classical times, some were sent to Rome at the height of the
Empire. They reappeared as features in art and architecture in the European neo-classical period, and
during the nineteenth century giant examples were shipped to and displayed in London and Paris, where they
may be seen today.
N.E J STEVENSON LIMITED EDITION OBELISKS 125 PAIRS
These magnificent limited edition pairs of 125 classically inspired obelisks have been commissioned from,
and hand-made by, skilled craftsmen at N.E. J. Stevenson, Cabinet Makers by Royal Appointment to Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at their workshops just outside Rugby, England.
Made from English oak (Quercus robur) , the tall, tapering shafts can be detached from the square pedestal
bases, decorated with brown oak discs representing the sun, to reveal a rare numbered bottle of Hine 1953
and a rare numbered bottle of Glenfarclas 1953 both the product of a single family cask. Each obelisk
features a secret drawer, the front of the Hine drawer is faced with oak from the Hine 1953 cask and the
front of the Glenfarclas drawer is faced with oak from the Glenfarclas 1953 cask.
Sometime in the late eighteenth century an unknown farmer began distilling in Strathspey’s Glen of the Green Grass, fertile in summer,
yet bleak and austere under winter’s snow. By 1836 the Glenfarclas Distillery was well established. In 1865 it was purchased by John
Grant for £511 19s, an enormous sum of money at that time. Since then, through six generations of the Grant family, the distillery has
remained single-mindedly independent in ownership and outlook. There are three essential ingredients required to produce Glenfarclas:
pure spring water, malted barley and yeast. The combination of these finest ingredients, traditionally distilled in the six uniquelyshaped largest copper pot stills on Speyside, the specially selected oak casks and the style and location of the warehouses are the vital
factors in defining the final distinctive character of Glenfarclas malt whiskies.
GLENFARCLAS HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY 1953 SINGLE FAMILY CASK
Tasting Note
This unique 1953 Glenfarclas is the oldest cask of whisky owned by the distillery, the contents of a single Spanish oak sherry cask. It
has a gleaming rich sandy oak colour. Initially, a rich sherried nose which develops to reveal lovely toffee notes, followed by delicate oak
with crisp fresh fruit at the bottom of the glass. A little air truly opens up this special Speyside malt whisky. Once it has had time to
breathe, a warm taste of spices, stewed fruits and liquorice develops into an incredibly long finish of toffee apples and cinnamon sticks.
Cask: Sherry Hogshead
Natural Cask Strength: 43.9%
Unfiltered
Number of bottles: 136
“It always send a shiver down my spine, when drinking such an old whisky. My father was 18 months old when this was made, My
Grandfather made this and I get the honour of sharing this magnificent whisky with you.”
George Grant, Director of Sales, 6th generation of the Grant family
For 250 years Thomas Hine & Co has specialised in selecting, ageing and selling the finest Grande Champagne cognacs from single
vintages. The vintage is the year the grapes were harvested, so the quality is very closely linked to the conditions of the soil and climate
prevailing during that particular year in the Charente region of France. In great years, Hine set aside a few casks of their most
exceptional Grande Champagne Cognacs to be matured as vintages. Normally Hine Vintage Cognacs reach maturity after several
decades. Exceptionally, this single family cask of 1953 has spent 60 years maturing in the same French oak barrel and has been bottled
at natural cask strength to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1962 Hine was greatly honoured
to be the first and, to this day, the only Cognac House to be granted The Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
HINE GRANDE CHAMPAGNE COGNAC 1953 SINGLE FAMILY CASK
Tasting Note
This is a perfect example of an elegant Grande Champagne Cognac from one of the greatest vintages of the 20 th century. A
shimmering delicate amber in colour, a cognac which exhibits both body and distinction, aromas of spice, honey and walnuts from the
French oak cask and the high humidity of the Hine cellars. This fine old Grande Champagne cognac seduces the palate with its velvety
roundness, mellowness and taste of spices and passion fruit which harmoniously linger together, leaving a delicious long aftertaste.
Cask: French oak
Natural Cask Strength: 41.9%
Unfiltered
Number of bottles: 148
“I remember I was with my cousin Jacques watching the Coronation of the Queen on television on the 2nd of June 1953 at Jacques
Hine’s grandmother’s house (1st floor of the 18, Quai de l’Orangerie) – now the Hine guest house. This was the very first time in my life
I watched television. “
Bernard Hine, Honorary Chairman, 6th generation of the Hine family
A Summary
•
Both are Single Vintage Spirits (from 1953) and from Single Casks.
•
The casks were personally selected by George Grant (6th Generation Owner) of Glenfarclas and Eric
Forget (Cellar Master) and Bernard Hine (Honorary Chairman) of Hine.
•
The Hine 1953 was bottled 04/03/2013 - spending 60 years in the cask. This is highly unusual for
Cognac and indicative of the pedigree of the 1953 Vintage.
•
The Glenfarclas 1953 was bottled 20/09/2012 - spending 58 years in the cask.
•
Both Spirits have been bottled at Cask Strength. Hine 41.9% ABV & Glenfarclas 43.9% ABV.
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There are only 125 pairs of this amazing duo available.
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The RRP is £14,000 for the pair.