Final offered in Victorian occasions, Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd is again they usually’ve not too long ago relaunched “Skene Dhu” Highland whisky.
The model’s journey goes from a tavern in London to a outstanding whisky bottler of its time, and eventually to a Linkwood 14 yr Previous European Oloroso Oak Single Malt Whisky.
The Tavern
London’s Cock Tavern, in Fulham, is a pub with what’s described as an extended and proud historical past. It was first licensed in 1713, rebuilt in 1813, and rebuilt once more in 1895. For a big a part of the nineteenth Century, it was run by varied members of the Agar household.
“Skene Dhu” Linkwood 2008 14 Yr Previous (picture through Skene Scotch Whisky)
And what was on the drinks menu of the Cock Tavern when the Agar household ran it in Victorian occasions? That’s truly recognized due to an commercial positioned by Proprietor Charles Agar within the 1893 Christmas Complement to the West London Observer.
Among the many drinks supplied: Brandy; Champagne Brandy; Brown or Pale Ale; Rum; Gin; Sherry; Port; Claret; Bottled Beers; Stout; Classic Champagne; Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky.
Apparently, sure whiskies had been out there by the case for simply 42 Shillings (£2.10 in immediately’s cash). The commercial confirmed one in all these whiskies to be “Skene Dhu.”
This model identify was a reference to the small twin-edged Scottish dagger traditionally carried in a Scotsman’s hose or lengthy boot. Nonetheless, the “Skene Dhu” spelling used is exclusive, being totally different from immediately’s extra widespread “sgian-dubh” or “skean dhu.”
“Skene Dhu” Whisky
In 1905, a decade after Charles Agar’s commercial, a “Skene Dhu” whisky label was patented by Alexander Ferguson & Co. At the moment, it was a big firm within the Scotch whisky trade, transport then well-known manufacturers everywhere in the world.
Flash ahead to trendy occasions, and the unique “Skene Dhu” label patent was not too long ago re-discovered.
A press release from Skene Whisky defined that Andrew Skene was wanting by way of books of previous label designs within the Patent Workplace and was surprised to search out one bearing his surname. And as luck would have it, the unique “Skene Dhu” label patent had time-expired. So, Andrew was capable of take out a recent patent in his identify and now owns the unique design.
Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd
Right this moment, Andrew Skene owns the impartial Skene Scotch Whisky and in recent times, the model has targeting shopping for and promoting casks in bond.
Within the fall of 2020, Skene as soon as once more began bottling whisky underneath its personal label. The inventory is presently both wholesaled to Asian distributors or offered to UK whisky drinkers by way of Skene Scotch Whisky’s private web site and at a choose handful of whisky retailers.
“Skene Dhu” Linkwood 14 Yr Previous now sees a “retro-bottling” bearing a Skene Dhu label based mostly on the unique 1905 design. The only malt was matured in European ex-Sherry oak casks and was chosen to bottle based mostly on Andrew Skene’s ancestors that lived in Burnside of Linkwood, the place they had been coopers.
“Skene Dhu” Linkwood 2008 14 Yr Previous ex Oloroso European Oak Single Malt Whisky is now out there for £65 immediately from Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd at www.skenewhisky.com/product/skene-dhu-linkwood-14-year-old-single-malt.
