House of Hazelwood : The Transatlantic 33 Year Old

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Transatlantic 33 Years Old by House of Hazelwood

Tasting

Appearance
The colour of this whisky is close to a deep mahogany red, a visual testament to a long maturation and prolonged exposure to fresh American oak.

Nose
The nose opens with notes of richly buttered popcorn drizzled with golden syrup, before giving way to a hint of green olive. Fresh, vibrant citrus zests precede aromas of jam doughnuts and strawberries and cream, underpinned by a gentle oak note. Toffee and vanilla confirm a resolutely woody, indulgent signature typical of great bourbons.

Palate
The attack is creamy, marked by a confectionery sweetness reminiscent of candy corn, before shards of fresh oak and notes of freshly sharpened pencil shavings add depth. The palate proves remarkably smooth and milk-chocolatey, with a touch of green apple, toasted notes, iced wafer, hay and gentle spices. The medium-to-long finish leaves a lingering, enveloping sweet cream.

Pairings and Tasting Moments

The Transatlantic 33 Years Old lends itself to contemplative tasting, enjoyed at the end of a meal or as a digestif, rather than casual sipping. Its creamy richness and notes of caramel, vanilla and milk chocolate make it an ideal companion to a crème brûlée or vanilla panna cotta, a milk chocolate or hazelnut dessert, or a red berry tart topped with whipped cream. Those seeking bolder pairings might try it alongside caramelised popcorn, pecans or a blue cheese drizzled with a touch of honey. Served in a tulip, copita or Glencairn glass at a temperature of 18 to 20°C, this whisky fully reveals its aromatic complexity, and can be enjoyed neat or lengthened with a few drops of water to open up the bouquet.

Mixology

Given its rarity and ultra-premium positioning, The Transatlantic 33 Years Old is above all a whisky for contemplation, best savoured unadorned to fully appreciate the richness and singularity of its maturation.

A Blended Grain Scotch Whisky at the Crossroads of Scotland and America

House of Hazelwood, Home to the Gordon Family's Private Reserves

House of Hazelwood is a Scotch whisky house founded in 2022 by the Gordon family, owners of the William Grant & Sons group. Its story is rooted in the Cabrach, a rural region of Moray, and continues in Dufftown, home to Hazelwood House, the family residence that lends its name to the brand, as well as in Girvan, the grain distillery founded by Charles Gordon. House of Hazelwood makes available to the public private whisky stocks accumulated by the Gordon family over nearly a century, released only once the casks reach optimal maturity, with no imposed release schedule. The house is today part of William Grant & Sons, an independent family-owned group chaired by Glenn Gordon, great-great-grandson of William Grant, ensuring the continuity of family governance at the heart of House of Hazelwood's identity.

The Transatlantic 33 Years Old, a Rare Dialogue Between Scottish Grain and American Oak

The Transatlantic 33 Years Old is a blended grain Scotch whisky belonging to the Legacy Collection and House of Hazelwood's 2024 collection, a series of ultra-rare whiskies showcasing the Gordon family's private reserves. It is the result of a blend of long-aged Scottish grain whiskies, matured for 33 years, then given an exceptional eight-year finish in fresh American oak casks, a practice described as virtually unheard of in the world of Scotch, where American oak is traditionally sourced from casks that have previously held bourbon. This distinctive maturation gives the whisky a style the House describes as "weighty" and "decadent", capturing both the essence of northern Scotland and that of the southern United States. Bottled at 57.3% vol. in 70cl, The Transatlantic 33 Years Old is one of the most sought-after pieces in the 2024 collection. Several specialist critics consider it the expression that best encapsulates House of Hazelwood's philosophy, standing at the crossroads of Scotch and bourbon traditions.