Pernod Ricard Japan is releasing its "Secret Speyside" collection in Japan for the first time, featuring single malt whiskies aged 18 years or more, carefully selected from distilleries in Scotland's Speyside region. The first release includes a total of nine items: six from "Caperdonich" and three from "Longmorn." These will be available starting Monday, September 28, 2020.

Located in the north of Scotland, the Speyside region, blessed with abundant nature, is home to over half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries and is known as the "holy land of malt whisky" for producing numerous high-quality whiskies. From these many distilleries, the "Secret Speyside" collection features nine rare, long-aged single malt whiskies selected from four distinctive distilleries: Caperdonich, Longmorn, Glen Keith, and Braes of Glenlivet. This collection marks their first availability in Japan.

Among the first releases is "Caperdonich," a distillery that no longer exists. Opened in 1898, it was known for its small-batch production focused on craftsmanship, offering both non-peated and peated whiskies. The distillery buildings were demolished in 2011, leaving behind only its fine single malt whiskies.

From this selection, six items will be released: three non-peated whiskies aged 21, 25, and 30 years, characterized by delicate sweetness and complex flavors reminiscent of ripe fruit; and three peated whiskies aged 18, 21, and 25 years, offering a profound taste with subtle peat smoke and refined smokiness.

Also featured in the first release is "Longmorn," a distillery that has pioneered new eras. Since its founding in 1894, it has consistently produced exceptionally high-quality whiskies, earning it global recognition and respect from distillers and blenders alike for its outstanding quality.

This collection will offer three items – aged 18, 23, and 25 years – known for their exceptional smoothness, creamy toffee notes, and deep flavor profiles. We invite you to take this opportunity to savor this hidden collection of single malt whiskies, a source of pride for the Speyside region.

Alan Winchester, curator of the "Secret Speyside" collection and from Chivas Brothers, commented: "Speyside, a sanctuary surrounded by beautiful nature and steeped in centuries of rich whisky history and tradition, is a true treasure of Scotland and a dream destination for whisky lovers worldwide. Bringing the 'Secret Speyside' collection to you is a crystallization of our passion at Chivas Brothers. These carefully selected, exceptionally rare single malt whiskies hail from distilleries in Speyside that have been less known until now, offering not only exquisite flavors but also unique stories. Through this world-class whisky lineup, we hope you will savor the distinctive flavors, depth, and complexity, all underpinned by Speyside's history and tradition. This will undoubtedly lead single malt whisky enthusiasts to a new realm of appreciating rarity and character."