70cl • 50.5% ABV
Between Littlemill’s founding and its lamentable closure, a remarkable story took place. It is a legacy defined by unsung heroes and trailblazers at Littlemill’s helm – a series of vanguards of their time, who were quietly overturning traditions and their mark on the distillery and its contemporaries. Drawing on the very last of Littlemill’s oldest and rarest reserves, The Vanguards Collection is a four-part annual series celebrating these remarkable individuals and their untold stories. Each release is expertly undertaken with a kindred spirit and artist, paying homage to the craft of the Vanguards and the remarkable precious drops they have left behind for a very fortunate few to own.
Our first chapter in the Vanguards Collection takes us back to where it all began... and the momentous words of the first licence in history, granted to Robert Muir of Littlemill, that would officiate the craft of whisky distilling for quite possibly the very first time
Distilled on the 11th of October in 1977, this exceptional 45-year-old whisky came from Littlemill’s patented straight-neck copper pot hybrid stills, designed by its engineers and scientists in the early 1900’s.
The careful selection and finishing of this very special release embodies the true Littlemill character. It’s intriguing to think that this whisky was chosen to be kept back and gently matured thereafter in refill American Oak for four decades, before being selected and re-casked for a final five-year finish in first-fill Oloroso Sherry hogsheads.
This traditional choice of finishing wood is meticulously documented in the distillery’s records, and complements the delicate floral nature of this summertime, Lowland single malt whisky. Natural in colour and cask strength, only 250 bottles of this rare piece of history exist... for a very fortunate few to own.
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The Vanguards Collection No.1 is presented in a handmade ash display cabinet, crafted by Littlemill’s most trusted carpenters and woodworkers. A glass portal in the cabinet door provides a window through time to the individually numbered artworks created by Vic Lee, which can be removed and displayed. 250 bespoke and handblown Glencairn crystal decanters have been individually numbered to hold this remarkable 45-year-old single malt whisky. The delicate cuts in the decanter take their inspiration from traditional writing quills of the time used to mark Robert Muir’s name and licence into history. Housed alongside each decanter and the artwork is a branded 50ml miniature a hardback book covering this incredibly special liquid and its history.
Between Littlemill’s founding and its lamentable closure, a remarkable story took place. It is one known only by those most deeply researched in the space, but its legacy stretches across the world of whisky.
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Honey, elderflower, pineapple, kiwi, roasted hazelnuts, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Silk like mouthfeel, melted brown sugar, vanilla, crème brûlée, crisp apple, ripe pear, freshly squeezed lime juice, dried fruit – sultana and citrus peel.
Long with notes of grilled grapefruit and sweet caramelised sugars, all balanced with sharp citrus.
Honey, elderflower, pineapple, kiwi, roasted hazelnuts, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Silk like mouthfeel, melted brown sugar, vanilla, crème brûlée, crisp apple, ripe pear, freshly squeezed lime juice, dried fruit – sultana and citrus peel.
Long with notes of grilled grapefruit and sweet caramelised sugars, all balanced with sharp citrus.
Today, one last custodian of the legacy of Littlemill remains: a guardian of the past traditions and innovations that set this rare single malt Scotch whisky apart.
During their final years of maturation, the casks that contained this exceptionally rare liquid were under the constant, personal supervision of our Master Blender, Michael Henry. With over 30 years industry experience and direct responsibility for all remaining Littlemill liquid, no one has a more erudite, intimate understanding of the character of the last remaining whisky of this lost distillery - and how to preserve it.
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Today, one last custodian of the legacy of Littlemill remains: a guardian of the past traditions and innovations that set this rare single malt Scotch whisky apart.
During their final years of maturation, the casks that contained this exceptionally rare liquid were under the constant, personal supervision of our Master Blender, Michael Henry. With over 30 years industry experience and direct responsibility for all remaining Littlemill liquid, no one has a more erudite, intimate understanding of the character of the last remaining whisky of this lost distillery - and how to preserve it.
"Quite unlike anything else, Littlemill is a beautiful summer whisky, whose characteristics reveal gentle vanilla and floral notes on the nose, with the sweetness of honey and creamy fudge, accompanied on the palate by classic Lowland fresh fruits. It’s an entirely unique and very special character, which we work hard to preserve without compromise."
Vic Lee is one of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated artists. His signature style of black and white typography, decoration, scrollwork and illustration is loved by audiences across the globe.
Originally based out of his studio in South East London, formerly an old Victorian suitcase factory appropriately named Vanguard Court, Vic’s style of work is much like Michael’s, being a quite magical example of where the past meets the present. Today Vic travels around the world, creating murals of incredible scale and working with some of the world’s most loved brands.
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"There is so much beauty in words and letters. I find it important to pay homage to something we use every day, often without thinking. My work is highly intricate, from fine penwork to elaborate hand-drawn murals. I like to think it evokes a memory, a thought, or a time. Working closely with Michael and the team, we sought to create something bespoke and unique that could accompany each individual bottle. Through a detailed and time-consuming approach, I was able to draw upon the past using traditional methods while applying my own contemporary feel. Each of the 250 pieces is then individually hand finished in grey Indian ink to create a sense of depth and emotion”
