What is Glenlivet Cipher?

Pernod Ricard UK’s new Glenlivet single malt Scotch whisky, Cipher, has made it on to the market without even a sniff of a tasting note.

Just 33,000 bottles of the limited-edition whisky will be released into 25 countries and only 1,200 of those will make it into the UK.

No cask information or tasting notes will be available to customers until the global rollout of the liquor is completed, which will take months.

Single malt ​

To ensure the 48% ABV single malt is further shrouded in mystery, it will be sold in black opaque bottles at a cost of £100.

Master distiller Alan Winchester, said the whisky was developed in response to a rise in the popularity of single malt whiskies in the past 10 years.

“More people than ever are actively nosing, tasting and discussing single malt Scotch whisky, which is fantastic,” said Winchester.

“For true whisky connoisseurs out there, we have combined a unique and original selection of casks to craft the Glenlivet Cipher as part of our commitment to building upon that flawlessly smooth and fruity house style of the Glenlivet.”

While the distiller has kept quiet about tasting notes, it hasn’t left customers completely blind.

Clue on the bottle​

A clue on the bottle will prompt curious drinkers to visit the Glenlivet Cipher microsite www.cipher.theglenlivet.com​, where they will be given clues to decipher the whisky.

There is a tasting wheel on the site where visitors can attempt to determine the six tasting notes and their intensity. However, there are more than 10,000 possible flavour combinations.

Winchester added: “I very much look forward to seeing which whisky fans manage to decipher the expression’s exact flavour profile and cask make-up over the coming months.”

Cipher, which was revealed for the first time in the UK at a launch event in Blacks Club, Soho, London, yesterday (2 June) follows the release of the Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve in March last year.