Whisky matured underwater in Loch Ness sells for over $1,000
- The first bottle of a unique whisky matured in Loch Ness sold for over $1,000 at auction.
- This whisky, named Domhayn, was submerged 702 feet deep on Valentine's Day and developed distinct characteristics through its unique maturation process.
- The limited number of bottles and the innovative maturation technique have generated significant excitement and interest among collectors.
In Scotland, the first bottle of a unique whisky, matured in casks submerged in Loch Ness, sold at auction for over $1,000. This unprecedented initiative, dubbed Domhayn, which means 'deep' in Gaelic, involved submerging the casks 702 feet beneath the surface on Valentine's Day. The auctioned bottle originated from a 2010 single malt barley spirit, boasting an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 55.5%. The seller, James Patterson, expressed excitement about offering a product that had matured in the depths of the legendary loch and explained that each of the six bottles produced was a one-off due to the unique maturation process. Patterson's concept arose from observing swimmers in Loch Ness, leading him to wonder about the effects of submersion on the spirit's maturation. He emphasized the significance of the cask's environment during maturation, noting that the pressure experienced underwater initiates a distinct interaction between the wood and the spirit, facilitating both absorption and extraction of flavors. As such, the resulting aroma and smoothness of the spirit achieved through this method were described as different from traditional maturation techniques. Each cask can only withstand one dive, which could change its characteristics permanently after being retrieved. To ensure authenticity, each spirit undergoes molecular analysis at the University of Oxford's Department of Chemistry, comparing it to control samples to demonstrate the impact of the underwater environment. According to Patterson, the results indicated a notable change in the molecular composition of the whisky. This novel approach to whisky maturation is expected to attract curiosity from collectors and enthusiasts who are eager to compare it with conventional methods. The sale of the first bottle has generated significant interest and excitement, raising questions about future possibilities for underwater maturation techniques in the whisky industry. Collectors may see this as a rare opportunity to acquire a truly unique product. The alterations in the whisky's molecular structure, coupled with the limited number of available bottles, add to the mystique and appeal of this innovative spirit.