Have you ever had a dram of whisky at the cinema? It’s a thing of beauty. A great picture deserves a great pairing, after all. The Odyssey arrives to the UK and with it comes a new colelction from Berry Bros. & Rudd.
Aptly timed for the release of Christopher Nolan’s epic on 17 July, Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant aims to explore how whisky traditions have travelled beyond Scotland. Like they’re on some kind of quest… Or adventure… No, there’s a more appropriate word isn’t there?
Berry Bros. & Rudd’s Odyssey series was actually first launched in 2024. This year’s series is the The Auld and the Bold, which brings together inspiring producers across the globe with 20 single-cask whiskies, as well as three rums and a Cognac. Well, why not?
Old Glenlossie sits at the core of the range
The Scotch
The Scotch whiskies cover a lot of ground, which is pretty much the point. Glenlossie 1975 brings old-school waxiness, Glencadam and Blair Athol lean into sparkling fruit, the latter with an unusual Viognier cask finish. Longmorn, GlenWyvis, Glen Garioch, and Tamdhu fly the flag for rich sherry influence, while Caol Ila, Williamson, and Ruadh Mhor each show a different side of peat and smoke.
The Odyssey beyond Scotland
Taken together, it is a fine reminder that Scotch is not one thing. Further afield, Lark, Paul John, Thompson, Thy, Teerenpeli, and the Spirit of Yorkshire show how far whisky has come in their respective countries.
Rum and Cognac
Three Caribbean rums also join the release: Foursquare, Diamond, and Caroni (on its way), plus a 35-year-old early-landed Cognac from Frapin. Not a bad way to finish.
The Auld and the Bold
“For this year’s Odyssey collection, we wanted to explore the relationship between heritage and innovation. Scotch whisky remains the benchmark that has inspired generations of distillers, but some of the most exciting spirits being made today are emerging from places far beyond Scotland,” says Felix Dear, spirits curator at Berry Bros. & Rudd.
“The Auld and the Bold brings these worlds together, showcasing both the timeless qualities that define great whisky and the fresh perspectives that continue to push the category forward. Whether the spirit comes from Speyside, Tasmania, Yorkshire or New Zealand, what unites these bottlings is a commitment to character, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place.”
