11/01/2026
A Rare Whisky for a Passionate Community: Saltire Rare Malt & The Cyprus Whisky Association
This article was written by Tim Harfield, Founder and Director of Minty Communications.
Some whiskies feel destined for a particular moment - a cask that has rested for years, gathering depth and character, waiting for the right community to appreciate it. One such cask has made its way to Cyprus, where whisky culture continues to grow with genuine enthusiasm and curiosity.
Saltire Rare Malt’s bespoke bottling of Glen Moray for the Cyprus Whisky Association is a perfect example of rarity meeting appreciation. This 17-year-old Glen Moray, matured in a 2nd fill American Oak hogshead and bottled at 48.8% ABV, carries generous sweetness, seasoned oak warmth and the kind of layered character that only time can create. With only a small number of bottles available, it stands as one of the most limited Saltire releases of the year.
As Professor Demetris Vrontis, Co-Founder and Co-President of The Cyprus Malt Whisky Association, shares: “For our members, a whisky like this is more than a drink - it is an experience. Knowing that it was created in such limited numbers, just for our community, adds a sense of pride, connection, and shared identity, elevating the experience into something truly special.
Saltire Rare Malt’s European Sales Director, Jan Damen, echoes this excitement: “Cyprus has an incredibly passionate whisky community. They appreciate flavour, story and authenticity - and this Glen Moray captures all of that. Creating a bespoke bottling just for their members has been a real honour.”
Saltire Rare Malt’s journey has always been driven by respect for provenance, thoughtful maturation and a belief that whisky should only be bottled at the right moment. The company was born from the friendship of founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie, who spent more than three decades collecting fine and rare single malts before sharing them with the world through Saltire Rare Malt.
Their work is guided by internationally respected whisky writers and curators Hans and Becky Offringa - The Whisky Couple - whose trusted palate ensures every bottling meets Saltire’s standards.
From the historic village of Falkland, where Scotch whisky was first recorded in 1494, Saltire Rare Malt now shares its whiskies with enthusiasts across the globe - cask by cask, story by story.
This special Glen Moray for Cyprus is the latest chapter in that journey: a rare whisky crafted for a community that truly values it.
https://taste-escape.cy/product/glen-moray-limited-release-the-cyprus-whisky-association-special-bottling-15/
