The Antiquary lays claim to being one of Scotland’s oldest whisky brands and with its range of impressively aged blended whisky having just undergone a revamp, we’re taking a closer look!
The story of The Antiquary
The Antiquary was created by brothers John and William Hardy, who founded a wine merchant firm in Edinburgh in the 1850s. By 1888 the pair had turned their talents to Scotch whisky, sourcing what they deemed to be the very best liquid to include in their blend, which they named The Antiquary after the famous gothic novel by Sir Walter Scott. They succeeded in creating what was considered to be a superior blend, and its legacy lives on today with a range of three impressively well-aged blended Scotch whiskies that have formed part of Tomatin’s wider portfolio since it took on the brand in 1996.
The Antiquary range
All of the whiskies in the range comprise a blend of premium Highland and Speyside malts with Lowland grains and boast a generous malt content of at least 40%. These well-aged expressions enjoy long marrying periods in a variety of casks sourced from France, Portugal, and Spain resulting in a collection of superbly characterful sippers.
Antiquary 15 Year Old
This 15-year-old blended Scotch was treated to a generous marrying period in red wine casks from Bordeaux imparting layers of tangy, jammy red fruits and subtle tannic oak.
Nose: Polished wood, fragrant tobacco, with clove-studded oranges, barbecued stone fruits and leathery oak.
Palate: Sticky, sweet dates join tangy, fruity notes of rhubarb and raspberry, with oaken vanilla nestling beneath.
Finish: Jammy red fruits linger, with delicately woody warming spice.
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Matured for a total of 21 years, this blended whisky enjoyed a mighty three-year marrying period in tawny Port casks sourced from the Symington family estates in Portugal.
Nose: Waves of floral peat, oily, waxy notes of hessian and drying hay, backed by vanilla, cocoa, and coffee grounds.
Palate: The Port cask reveals itself with notes of dark poached plums and jammy wild berries, joined by chocolate-dipped orange wheels and smoky, meaty malt.
Finish: Cranberries, stewed red fruits, a touch of brine.
Antiquary 30 Year Old
The pinnacle of The Antiquary collection, this expression aged for a total of 30 years, including a three-year-long marriage in sherry casks sourced directly from Jerez.
Nose: Passion fruit, mango, grilled pineapple, maple syrup, hints of smoked bacon and aged timber.
Palate: Tropical fruit, syrup and rich oak spice.
Finish: Beeswax, heather honey and waxy tropical fruitiness.