Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old is the Scottish Icon's Oldest Ever Expression
Published: 21 June 2025 |Last Updated: 20 June 2025
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Glenfarclas, one of Scotland's few remaining family-owned and managed distilleries, has announced the release of its oldest whisky to date .
. Distilled on 20 November 1953, the Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old marks a 'pinnacle' in the distillery's legacy.
marks a 'pinnacle' in the distillery's legacy. Only 262 bottles of the Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old will be available globally from June 2025, with pricing starting at £20,000 (AUD$41,000), subject to regional variations.
If you know your Scotch, then you know Glenfarclas. Like so many of its whisky-making brethren, the Speyside distillery has been around for centuries and counting. However, it's one of Scotland's few operations that's still family-owned after all these years, making it the exception rather than the rule as various conglomerates continue to swallow the industry whole. From this enduring heritage comes the distillery's oldest expression yet, a 70-Year-Old whisky that's limited to just 262 bottles and available for a suggested retail price of £20,000 (AUD$41,000).
With its latest release, Glenfarclas joins a growing number of distilleries that are breaking personal records in terms of age statements. Over the past few years alone, everyone from Highland Park to The Macallan has likewise debuted their oldest expressions to date. However, don't take that to mean these whiskies are anything short of small miracles, Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old being no exception. Distilled all the way back in 1953, the liquid has survived six different distillery managers across seven decades.
Glenfarclas distillery manager Callum A. Fraser | Image: Glenfarclas
'This is true Glenfarclas and this expression captures the very DNA of the distillery,' distillery manager Callum A. Fraser said. 'What we did 30 or 40 or even 70 years ago is very much what we still do today. The warehouses are still here, holding decades of stories in their walls. At the heart of it all, tradition remains key.'
'This whisky has waited seventy years to be enjoyed. Through wars, the reign of a queen and now a king, the world has changed — but this spirit has endured, and it stands as a rare and timeless testament to patience and craft.'
Detractors might argue that excessive maturation doesn't amount to a better-tasting spirit (in fact, some attest that overexposure to oak can have a detrimental effect), but we're nevertheless intrigued by this new – and by that, we mean old – release. Matured in first-fill sherry casks inside the distillery's dunnage warehouses, the whisky predictably imparts a dark teak colour.
The nose goes big on stewed fruit with gentle peaty accents, followed by an impossibly rich palate of dark chocolate, toffee, spice, sherry, dried fruit, and roasted coffee. A long and mouth-coating finish resurrects the smoky undertones and presumably cultivates a fair amount of oak and spice before trailing out.
Glenfarclas Chairman John Grant | Image: Glenfarclas
Naturally, as one of the last truly independent distilleries standing in Scotland, Glenfarclas remains a beacon of craftsmanship and defiance in the industry. For fifth-generation family member John Grant, the release of this highly coveted 70-year-old expression is testament to the unwavering dedication of the entire Glenfarclas team.
'As chairman of a family-owned distillery, I am committed to overseeing the production of our exceptional malt whisky, just as my forefathers did before me,' Grant said. 'We take great pride in maintaining complete control over every aspect of production, preserving our time-honoured traditional methods – most notably, the use of direct-fired stills, which creates a robust and full-bodied spirit.'
'Remarkably, this particular cask has been maturing almost as long as I've been alive. Releasing it now marks a true milestone, and one that Callum and I have considered carefully and with great respect for its legacy.'
Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old | Image: Glenfarclas
Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old makes up part of the Warehouse Series and comes preceded by 30, 35, and 40-year expressions, respectively. Unlike some neighbouring brands – cough, The Macallan, cough – this distillery doesn't go overboard with the presentation. That is to say, the whisky comes with the same understated bottle design and packaging as the other releases in the range, so as to let the liquid speak for itself. And based on what we can infer, there's a lot of speaking to do.
The Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old will be available globally from June 2025 through a select network of specialist retailers in over 50 markets. The recommended retail price is £20,000 (AUD$41,000), subject to regional variations.
Glenfarclas 70-Year-Old | Image: Glenfarclas
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Man of Many
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- Man of Many
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New South Wales – approx. $58,850 Dealer-delivery ≈ $1,750 (Toyota shows $2,140 list; midpoint used) Stamp-duty $1,887 ( $1,350 + 5 % of value above $45 k for passenger cars) Registration & plates 12 mths $718 (rego $82 + tare-weight tax 1,505-2,504 kg $579 + plates $57) Average CTP Green-Slip $501 Victoria – approx. $59,060 Dealer-delivery ≈ $1,800 Stamp-duty $2,343 (4.2 % for passenger vehicles ≤ $80,567) Registration (incl. TAC & plates, metro zone) $930.70 Queensland – approx. $58,290 Dealer-delivery ≈ $1,900 Stamp-duty $1,677 (3 % for 1-4 cyl engines) Registration + TIF + CTP (4-cyl, metro) $725.55 Western Australia – approx. $60,690 Dealer-delivery ≈ $2,150 Vehicle-licence duty $3,649 (6.5 % for vehicles > $50 k) Licence fee $458.24 (16 × $28.64/100 kg) + admin $9.50 Motor-Injury-Insurance premium ≈ $430 (private passenger car, 12 mths, schedule 2024-25) South Australia – approx. $58,810 Dealer-delivery ≈ $1,950 Stamp-duty $2,188 (formula ≈ 4 % of price minus $50) Rego + CTP (4-cyl, metro) $685 Tasmania – approx. $58,960 Dealer-delivery ≈ $2,100 Stamp-duty $2,244 (4 % on vehicles > $40 k) Registration + MAIB premium (4-cyl) $625.66 Australian Capital Territory – approx. $56,870 Dealer-delivery ≈ $1,750 Motor-vehicle duty $0 – new Category A (≤ 130 g CO₂/km) exempt to 31 Aug 2025 Registration package (establishment fee, MAI premium, road-user charge) ≈ $1,132.60 Northern Territory – approx. $58,770 Dealer-delivery ≈ $2,250 Stamp-duty $1,687 (flat 3 % on dutiable value) Registration (2.0-3.0 L 4-cyl) $841.25 *All figures are best-estimate averages using official state charges current as of 1 July 2025. Dealer-delivery mid-point assumptions come from typical fees published by industry sources. Hopefully, this article has helped shed some light on the statement 'before on-road costs' that you see across automotive websites in Australia. Ultimately, speaking directly with your dealership is the best way to get a 'drive-away price' for any new car you're buying in Australia.
Man of Many
12 hours ago
- Man of Many
Breguet's First-Ever Flying Tourbillon is a ‘Mysterious' Ode to the Master
By Jacob Osborn - News Published: 3 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Iconic watchmaker Breguet has announced the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 , the fourth chapter in its 250th anniversary celebrations. , the fourth chapter in its 250th anniversary celebrations. The release date, the 26th of June 2025, is in homage to the 26th of June 1801, when Abraham-Louis Breguet obtained a patent for his invention of the tourbillon . . Limited to just 50 timepieces, the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 represents the first Breguet model to feature a 'flying tourbillon'. We love ourselves a great mystery and a great timepiece, and Breguet has delivered both in its latest anniversary watch. 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Call it the perfect touch of subtle detail on the transfixing display, and a deft reminder of the founder's astronomical fixations. Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Indeed, the very word 'Sidéral' loosely translates to 'related to the stars or constellations,' and draws upon astronomical timekeeping (based not on the sun but the fixed position of the stars). The watch further corresponds with astronomy through its use of a tourbillon. In the 17th century, mathematician Blaise Pascal expanded upon the meaning of tourbillon to describe a 'material system animated with rotational motion,' applying the concept to planetary systems. In the horological realm, the tourbillon remains directly linked to astronomy, even as it continues to evolve. And now we arrive at the flying tourbillon itself, as presented on Breguet's new anniversary release. Perched inside an elegant cage on the dial face, the complex mechanism differs from its traditional counterparts through the absence of an upper bar. It thus appears suspended in space as if untethered to the laws of gravity. Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling | Image: Breguet This particular iteration goes one step further by eschewing a pivot at the top to anchor all the support at the base, resulting in better balance and improved adjustability. Meanwhile, the lower support system is made of sapphire glass with an anti-reflective coating, rendering the point of contact between the gears and carriage invisible to enhance the suspended effect. Gaze upon this feat of engineering and behold a tourbillon that appears to be truly flying in place, something Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling marks as a true brand-first. 'It is, quite simply, the very first time in Breguet's history that a flying tourbillon is being introduced. A beautiful way to celebrate its 224th anniversary,' Kissling said. 'And the tourbillon model we chose to reinterpret is no ordinary one: among the tourbillon movements in Breguet's archives, it is the one used in the very first Breguet tourbillon wristwatch, unveiled in 1990 under reference 3350. 'Invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, the tourbillon remains one of the most complex complications in watchmaking. Its mastery embodies the technical excellence to which the House of Breguet has remained faithful for more than two centuries,' the Breguet CEO continued. 'The Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 thus pays homage to that iconic timepiece and to the master's invention. I would even go so far as to say that this creation is an ode to the tourbillon itself, where time indication is almost secondary…' Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Over two centuries after A.-L. Breguet patented the tourbillon mechanism, his namesake manufacture carries forth his vision of supreme robustness and accuracy. It took the watchmaker years to master the 'mysterious' complication that debuts on the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255, which cranks up the flying effect. Combine that with a slew of superlative materials and details – including 18K Breguet gold elements, a handmade guilloché case back, and the aforementioned aventurine enamel dial – and you're looking at a masterpiece on multiple fronts. Some things go beyond mere words, no matter how much we attempt to describe them. The celestial universe around us is one. Breguet's Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 is another. Limited to just 50 units, it's available for approximately USD$226,000. Buy us one, will you? Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU Brand : Breguet : Breguet Model : Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 : Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Reference : Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU : Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU Diameter : 38mm : 38mm Thickness : 10.2mm : 10.2mm Movement : Hand-wound Calibre 187M1 : Hand-wound Calibre 187M1 Power Reserve : 50 hours : 50 hours Availability : Limited to 50 pieces : Limited to 50 pieces Price: USD$226,000
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
The staggering cost of King Charles and Queen Camilla's Australia tour laid bare in new royal accounts - and what Aussies paid for
The British Royal Household has published its annual Sovereign Grant Report, confirming the enormous cost of King Charles and Queen Camilla's historic trip to Australia and Samoa- the monarch's first official Commonwealth tour since his accession. According to the figures released on Monday, Their Majesties' 11-day visit in October 2023 racked up an eye-watering £400,535 (about AU$837,750). The King and Queen travelled from London to Sydney on 17 October via charter flight, before continuing on to Samoa on 23 October to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and representatives from across the 56 nations. The pair returned home on 27 October via a scheduled air flight, with a stopover in Singapore. While the travel costs were split between the British and Australian governments, the report confirmed that UK taxpayer funds covered approximately 50 per cent of the overall bill. Australia, however, was not solely responsible for footing the cost of flights, as Their Majesties were continuing their journey beyond Sydney. The report notes that travel-related expenses across the royal family rose slightly over the past year, with 216 official journeys costing over £17,000, totalling £2.7 million (about AUD $5.6 million). Of these, helicopter travel emerged as the most expensive mode of transport, with 141 flights totalling £475,290 (about AUD $994,280). In a bid to modernise operations and reduce emissions, the Royal Household also received two new helicopters in February to replace 15-year-old aeroplanes. The report notes these upgrades "will help reduce reliance on expensive fixed wing travel and increase the Royal Household's ability to utilise Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)". Meanwhile, the report confirmed the end of the late Queen Elizabeth II's beloved Royal Train, which will be retired by 2027. Although it only cost £77,908 (around AUD $163,000) across two trips in the past year, decommissioning the train is expected to save approximately £1 million (AUD $2 million) annually. In total, the Sovereign Grant, the annual payment from the UK government to support official royal duties, remained steady at £86.3 million (approx. AUD $180 million), consistent with the previous three years. However, that figure is set to rise. The Royal Household's income is forecast to increase to £132 million (around AUD $275 million) annually for the next two financial years. Reflecting on the value of the monarchy's contribution, Keeper of the Privy Purse James Chalmers said: "Soft power is hard to measure but its value is. "I believe, now firmly understood at home and abroad, as the core themes of the new reign have come into even sharper focus, and the Royal Family have continued in their service to the nation, Realms and Commonwealth." Despite the health battles of both King Charles and the Princess of Wales, who each underwent treatment for undisclosed forms of cancer in 2024, the report revealed members of the Royal Family carried out more than 1,900 public engagements across the year. Even for the 76-year-old King, who is still receiving treatment, he and Queen Camilla undertook a total of 604 engagements, including 90 joint appearances. "For Their Majesties, this is an increase on 2023–24, reflecting His Majesty's return to public-facing duties," the report stated.
