The Gladstone Axe Malt Whisky
Fine wine and spirits company, Biggar and Leith have launched an exciting new brand The Gladstone Axe Malt Whisky. Named after four-times Prime Minister, William Gladstone, the whisky is a modern twist on classic Scotch. There are two expressions in the range – The Gladstone Axe American Oak and The Gladstone Axe The Black Axe, both bottled in an iconic bottle which tells the story of William Gladstone in a contemporary way.
The whiskies have been carefully selected from the Highlands and Islay to create two easy-drinking smooth blends made up of 14 single malts. The whiskies were created in honour of William Gladstone by his great-great-great Grandson, Elwyn Gladstone, Founder of Biggar and Leith and Malfy Gin.
‘The Woodsman’
William Gladstone was Prime Minister during the reign of Queen Victoria and had a legendary collection of axes. His passion was for felling trees as a way of relaxing and exercising and people would come from around the country to watch him chopping trees.
The Gladstone Axe American Oak is aged and finished in American Oak Bourbon barrels and blended from whiskies from 14 different Highland and Islay single malt distilleries. The Black Axe has a higher proportion of Islay malts to add just a touch of smoky character.
We are really excited to be launching a new blended malt whisky bearing the name of my ancestor who was a great figurehead. In 1860, he signed the Spirts Act which allowed the blending of Scotch Whisky for the first time, essentially creating the Scotch Whisky industry as we know it today.
Our family origins are in Scotland and Gladstone had a love for the country. He said, “There is not a drop of blood in me that is not Scottish.” I am proud to be able to honour him with this exciting new modern classic whisky.
– Elwyn Gladstone: Founder of Biggar and Leith and Malfy Gin
Gladstone Axe Whisky – American Oak and The Black Axe
With growing interest in blended malt whiskies amongst younger consumers globally, The Gladstone Axe presents an exciting opportunity as an approachable, mixable malt blend for a new generation of whisky drinkers.
The bespoke bottles are designed in bright, contemporary colours and made of tinted glass – light blue for the American Oak and smoky grey for The Black Axe – with embossing on all sides. The embossing shows Gladstone felling a tree on the back of the bottle, the name of the whisky and the years of his premiership on the shoulder, thumb prints on each side of the bottle and his monogram on the base. The back label is axe-shaped and relates the whisky’s history. The hand-dipped wax caps cover real cork stoppers.
Tasting Notes
American Oak
Colour – rich, chestnut toffee
Nose – rich, spicy, vanilla fruit
Flavour– sweet, oak, vanilla spice
The Black Axe
Colour – rich walnut
Nose – spicy and fruity
Flavour– sweet, oak, vanilla spice
The Gladstone Axe signature serves range from classic and contemporary cocktails, through to long drinks mixed with soda or ginger ale.
RRP: £32 for a 70cl bottle ABV: 41%
Available from Amazon:-
The Gladstone Axe American Oak
The Gladstone Axe The Black Axe
Instagram: @gladstoneaxe
Website (coming soon): gladstoneaxe.com
