The Perfect Collection Part One

Fettercairn 1970 Signatory Vintage 25 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Fettercairn distillery was built in 1825 and aside froma brief period in mothballs in the 1930s, has been in operation ever since. It was re-opened from that closure in 1939 by Associated Scottish Distilleries, the Scotch arm of the post-Prohibition drinks giant in the US, National Distillers. When ASD ceased trading in 1954 the distillery passed through various hands before being bought by Whyte & Mackay in 1973. Despite being an important contributor to their blends, they also pushed Fettercairn as a single malt brand, as well as making casks available to independent companies for bottlings like this.

This is a Signatory Vintage bottling, distilled in 1970 and bottled in 1995.

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

Fettercairn 1980 Whyte and Whyte 13 Year Old 75cl / Spirits Library

Fettercairn distillery was built in 1825 and aside from a brief period in mothballs in the 1930s, has been in operation ever since. It was re-opened from that closure in 1939 by Associated Scottish Distilleries, the Scotch arm of the post-Prohibition drinks giant in the US, National Distillers. When ASD ceased trading in 1954 the distillery passed through various hands before being bought by Whyte & Mackay in 1973. Despite being an important contributor to their blends, they also pushed Fettercairn as a single malt brand, as well as making casks available to independent companies for bottlings like this.

This was bottled for Whyte and Whyte, a Chicago-based independent spirits distributor in the US. The company had a UK arm that sourced casks of single malt from a variety of specialist firms, including Signatory Vintage and Wm. Cadenhead. This bottle is part of a sought after series the company imported for the Spirits Library, a Scotch and Cognac retailer in the US. Whyte and Whyte ceased trading in 1998, and these bottles are an increasing rarity.

Finlaggan 1979 Islay Single Malt Decanter

The Vintage Malt Whisky Company is a family-owned firm in Glasgow, founded in 1992 by Brian Crook. In addition to their Cooper's Choice series, they also bottle number of their own single malt brands, such as this Finlaggan (an Islay) and Tantallan (a Highland), using whisky sourced from unspecified distilleries. 

Beinn Bhuidhe 12 Year Old QE2 Decanter 1980s

A special release decanter released by Beinn Bhuidhe to celebrate the QE2.

Beinn Bhuide is a subsidiary company of Morrison Bowmore, and this more than likely contains single malt from one of the trio of distilleries in its stable; Bowmore, Glen Garioch and Auchentoshan.

Fettercairn 1985 Glenhaven 10 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Fettercairn distillery was built in 1825 and aside from a brief period in mothballs in the 1930s, has been in operation ever since. It was re-opened from that closure in 1939 by Associated Scottish Distilleries, the Scotch arm of the post-Prohibition drinks giant in the US, National Distillers. When ASD ceased trading in 1954 the distillery passed through various hands before being bought by Whyte & Mackay in 1973. Despite being an important contributor to their blends, they also pushed Fettercairn as a single malt brand, as well as making casks available to independent companies for bottlings like this. 

Glenhaven was a short-lived independent bottler, mostly exporting their releases to America. Their bottlings appeared between 1994 and 1997, when their founder Bill Thompson sadly passed away, halting operations at the firm.

Beinn Bhuidhe 12 Year Old QE2 Decanter 1980s

A special release decanter released by Beinn Bhuidhe to celebrate the QE2.

Beinn Bhuide is a subsidiary company of Morrison Bowmore, and this more than likely contains single malt from one of the trio of distilleries in its stable; Bowmore, Glen Garioch and Auchentoshan.

Ferintosh 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt

A mystery single Speyside malt, bottled by Invergordon Distillers.

This is named after the long-lost Ferintosh distillery, which was destroyed by fire in 17th century. The likely source for this whisky will be one of the Speyside distilleries in the Whyte & Mackay portfolio, such as Tamnavulin.

Famous Grouse Gold Reserve 12 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Originally launched alongside The Grouse Brand in 1896, The Famous Grouse was the third blend registered by Matthew Gloag & Sons, following on from the Brig o' Perth the year earlier. Priced lowest, The Famous Grouse proved to be the most popular of the three, and was officially trademarked by the company in 1905. Today is has become one of the most recognisable brands in the whole Scotch whisky world, and under the ownership of Highland Distillers became the first blend to have its own visitor centre, formerly located at the Glenturret distillery. The brand passed from the Gloag family to Highland Distillers in 1970, and is now owned by Edrington. Despite having lost its spiritual home with the sale of Glenturret in 2019, The Famous Grouse remains as popular as ever.

The Gold Reserve expression was first released in 1996 as a premium addition to the core range, but has since been discontinued.

Frasers Reserve Islay Single Malt

A mystery Islay single malt, selected and bottled by Strathnairn Whisky Ltd of Inverness, a subsidiary company of Gordon & MacPhail. The Frasers Reserve brand appeared as a single malt from various regions over the years.