The Perfect Collection Part Two

Glenlossie 1938 Gordon and MacPhail 43 Year Old

Glenlossie became part of DCL (now Diageo) in 1919, who made it part of their Haig stable in the 1930s. The distillery has always been hugely important to the Diageo blends, and excepting the staff-only Manager's Dram, the Flora & Fauna is the only distillery bottling, retained as a permanent release. Independent bottlings are more common, but are still decidedly rare. 

This is an incredible old Gordon & MacPhail bottling of a pre-war vintage. Distilled in 1938 and bottled after 43 years.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market. It was initially created for renowned Italian importer, Edoardo Giaccone in the early 1970s, but became a mainstay of the core Gordon & MacPhail portfolio in 1979.

Glen Garioch 37 Year Old Bicentenary 75cl / US Import

Glen Garioch is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. For most of the 20th century it was self-sufficient, malting its own barley using peat from Pitsligo, giving it a unique smoky character. The maltings and distillery were closed down by Beam Suntory in 1995, and only the latter resumed operations two years later, with contemporary Glen Garioch becoming an un-peated single malt. These pre-1995 vintages are worth investigating while you can. 

This 37 year old was released to commemorate the 200th anniversary the Highland distillery. Bottled in 1997 meaning this was likely distilled around 1960.

One of 200 bottles. 

Glendronach 1970 Signatory Vintage 20 Year Old​

Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grant's of Glenfiddich. Charles, the youngest son of William Grant procured the then-silent distillery from the government in 1920, and it remained in the family until they sold it to Wm. Teacher 40 years later. The Grant's and Teacher's were early champions of the single malt category, and distillery bottlings of Glendronach were produced for most of the 20th century until it was mothballed by Allied Distillers in 1996. The distillery was revived in 2002, and has since become one of the strongest single malt brands in the world.

This is an independent release, distilled in February 1970 and bottled after 20 years of the distillery's signature sherry cask maturation. This is a vatting of six.

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.

Glenrothes 1966 Whyte and Whyte 27 Year Old Sherry Cask 75cl / Spirits Library

Earmarked from an early stage an ideal component in blended Scotch whiskies, Glenrothes has long been a key part of big brands such as Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse. Its relationship with the former, lead to a three decade-long association with London wine-merchants, Berry Brothers & Rudd, who first approached Highland Distillers about licensing the Glenrothes single malt brand in 1983, eventually trading the Cutty Sark blend with Edrington for full ownership of it in 2010. The distillery itself remained with Edrington through, and the two were reunited when the now hugely successful brand was returned in 2017. Releases from independent labels like this have also always been highly regarded.

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.

Glendronach 1970 Signatory Vintage 20 Year Old​

Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grant's of Glenfiddich. Charles, the youngest son of William Grant procured the then-silent distillery from the government in 1920, and it remained in the family until they sold it to Wm. Teacher 40 years later. The Grant's and Teacher's were early champions of the single malt category, and distillery bottlings of Glendronach were produced for most of the 20th century until it was mothballed by Allied Distillers in 1996. The distillery was revived in 2002, and has since become one of the strongest single malt brands in the world.

This is an independent release, distilled in February 1970 and bottled after 20 years of the distillery's signature sherry cask maturation. This is a vatting of six.

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.

Glenugie 1966 Signatory Vintage 33 Year Old Silent Stills 75cl / US Import

A rare Signatory Vintage bottling of Glenugie. Part of Signatory Vintage's Silent Stills series which highlights Scotland's lost distilleries (some of these, such as Glenglassaugh, have since returned however).

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.

Distilled on 31st of December 1966 and bottled on the 15th of August 2000 at 33 years old.

A well-regarded distillery in its time, Glenugie was primarily tasked with providing single malt for the Long John blends. Oversupply in the 1980s saw it close, along with many others, in 1983. The distillery has long since been dismantled, with its stock and brand name under ownership of Chivas Brothers. Despite this, there have been very few official bottlings, and those from independents like this are highly prized. 

This is bottle number 24 of 148.

Glen Grant 1972 Signatory Vintage 23 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006. 

This is an independent bottling from Signatory Vintage, distilled in 1972 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.

Glenlivet 1969 Signatory Vintage 31 Year Old Gift Pack

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.

A Glenlivet distilled on the 19th of February 1969 and matured in a sherry butt #1392, this was on bottled 27th July 2000.

Well-known as the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland, for many years ‘Glenlivet’ was a byword for quality, with many single malts using the Glenlivet suffix in an attempt to reap the benefits of associating themselves with the Banffshire distillery. Indeed, owners Pernod-Ricard now put a heavy focus on the brand being ‘The Glenlivet’, encouraging their consumers not to accept any imitations. Glenlivet is in a long-running battle with Glenfiddich for the title of best-selling single malt, with both now selling over a million cases a year. George Smith secured a license to legally distil at Glenlivet in 1824, and it remained family-run until 1978 when Seagram bought a controlling stake in what had by then become The Glenlivet Distilleries Ltd, and counting assets such as Glen Grant, Benriach and Longmorn among its portfolio. When Seagram collapsed in 2001, Pernod-Ricard acquired its sizeable Chivas Brothers Scotch whisky division, with Glenlivet the crown jewel in an empire rivalled only by Diageo.

Presented in an attractive wood case, complete with branded glass and matching miniature. 

Glen Grant 1948 Gordon and MacPhail 

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006. 

Glen Grant licensed its brand to a number of bottlers in the mid to late 20th century, the most prominent of which was Gordon & MacPhail. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high quality casks, and subsequently, high quality releases. The preference of the Italian parent firm at the distillery today for its younger output, often means that Gordon & MacPhail are given access to some impressively aged casks. 

This is a 1948 vintage, bottled using the old licensed branding. Bottles in this style produced by Gordon & MacPhail are now known as the Distillery Labels series.

Glenmorangie 1975 Cote de Nuits Wood Finish 75cl / US Import

Despite being owned by blenders, MacDonald & Muir, for most of the 20th century, Glenmorangie had an early focus on bottling its single malt. Some records show that its single malt was being sold as early as the late 19th century. This became the distillery's main output in 1959, and with the unique flavours derived from Scotland's smallest stills, coupled with their pioneering use of wood finishing, Glenmorangie is now one of the world's biggest selling malts. As a result, the distillery portfolio over the years has been extensive, and little has been spared for independent bottlers. 

The forward-thinking Glenmorangie approach to wood finishes is in full display here. Considered to be an exceptional whisky, this legendary malt was matured in bourbon casks prior to being finished in Cote de Nuit Burgundy Grand Cru casks.

Glenlivet 1949 Gordon and MacPhail 41 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Well-known as the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland, for many years ‘Glenlivet’ was a byword for quality, with many single malts using the Glenlivet suffix in an attempt to reap the benefits of associating themselves with the Banffshire distillery. Indeed, owners Pernod-Ricard now put a heavy focus on the brand being ‘The Glenlivet’, encouraging their consumers not to accept any imitations. Glenlivet is in a long-running battle with Glenfiddich for the title of best-selling single malt, with both now selling over a million cases a year. George Smith secured a license to legally distil at Glenlivet in 1824, and it remained family-run until 1978 when Seagram bought a controlling stake in what had by then become The Glenlivet Distilleries Ltd, and counting assets such as Glen Grant, Benriach and Longmorn among its portfolio. When Seagram collapsed in 2001, Pernod-Ricard acquired its sizeable Chivas Brothers Scotch whisky division, with Glenlivet the crown jewel in an empire rivalled only by Diageo.

Gordon & MacPhail were granted a license to officially bottle Glenlivet single malt in the 1970s and 1980s. This long-standing relationship with the distillery has since furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

When Gordon & MacPhail were producing official bottlings under license in the 1970s, each distillery was labelled using a specific branding determined by their parent companies, such as DCL, Hiram Walker or Highland Distillers. Those from The Glenlivet Distilleries Ltd stable however, also including Longmorn and Glen Grant, were the exception. These distilleries already had established branding that was licensed out to a number of companies in the mid-to-later 20th century in order to bottle their single malt, although Gordon & MacPhail are perhaps the most prolific of these. Although the official Glenlivet branding has long since departed this aesthetic, the George & J.G. Smith's label is a classic, and Gordon & MacPhail continue to use it today as part of what has been known since 2018 as its Distillery Labels series.

This is a 1949 vinatge, bottled in 1990 for the US market.

Glendronach 1970 Signatory Vintage 20 Year Old​

Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grant's of Glenfiddich. Charles, the youngest son of William Grant procured the then-silent distillery from the government in 1920, and it remained in the family until they sold it to Wm. Teacher 40 years later. The Grant's and Teacher's were early champions of the single malt category, and distillery bottlings of Glendronach were produced for most of the 20th century until it was mothballed by Allied Distillers in 1996. The distillery was revived in 2002, and has since become one of the strongest single malt brands in the world.

This is an independent release, distilled in February 1970 and bottled after 20 years of the distillery's signature sherry cask maturation. This is a vatting of six.

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.

Glendronach 1970 Signatory Vintage 20 Year Old​

Glendronach was built in 1826 by James Allardice, and rebuilt following a fire in 1852 by an individual named Walter Scott (although not the one you might be thinking of). It eventually passed into the hands of perhaps Scotland's greatest distilling dynasty, the Grant's of Glenfiddich. Charles, the youngest son of William Grant procured the then-silent distillery from the government in 1920, and it remained in the family until they sold it to Wm. Teacher 40 years later. The Grant's and Teacher's were early champions of the single malt category, and distillery bottlings of Glendronach were produced for most of the 20th century until it was mothballed by Allied Distillers in 1996. The distillery was revived in 2002, and has since become one of the strongest single malt brands in the world.

This is an independent release, distilled in February 1970 and bottled after 20 years of the distillery's signature sherry cask maturation. This is a vatting of six.

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.

Glenburgie 1962 Cadenhead's 28 Year Old 75cl / US Import

The Authentic Collection was launched by Wm. Cadenhead in 1991, and included whiskies from several rare closed Scottish and Irish distilleries, bottled for the company's 150th anniversary. It would later go on to become a mainstay of their portfolio, as the cask strength alternative to the Original Collection, which replaced their famous \"dumpy\" bottlings in the early 1990s. The Authentic Collection is now the flagship Cadenhead brand, and one of the most recognisable independent labels on the market.

This 1962 vintage Glenburgie was bottled for the US market in April 1991.

First established as Kilnflat distillery in 1829, the plant became known as Glenburgie in 1871 when it was bought by Charles Hay. After closing down in 1925, it was eventually acquired by Hiram Walker, alongside Miltonduff distillery, as the firm sought to build a portfolio to supply its newly acquired Ballantine's blend. Today the distillery and Ballantine's are still closely linked, so much so that there have been very few distillery bottlings, the most recent being a 15 year old under the George Ballantine & Sons banner, released in 2017. Prior to this, the majority of the rare examples of Glenburgie on the market came in the form of independent releases like this. 

Glenmorangie 1975 Cote de Nuits Wood Finish 75cl / US Import

Despite being owned by blenders, MacDonald & Muir, for most of the 20th century, Glenmorangie had an early focus on bottling its single malt. Some records show that its single malt was being sold as early as the late 19th century. This became the distillery's main output in 1959, and with the unique flavours derived from Scotland's tallest stills, coupled with their pioneering use of wood finishing, Glenmorangie is now one of the world's biggest selling malts. As a result, the distillery portfolio over the years has been extensive, and little has been spared for independent bottlers. 

The forward-thinking Glenmorangie approach to wood finishes is in full display here. Considered to be an exceptional whisky, this legendary malt was matured in bourbon casks prior to being finished in Cote de Nuit Burgundy Grand Cru casks.

Glen Grant 1964 Signatory Vintage 25 Year Old

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006. 

This is a Signatory Vintage bottling, distilled in 1964 and bottled from three casks in February 1990.

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.

Knappogue Castle 1951 / US Import

A single malt Irish whiskey produced at the long-lost B. Daly distillery, former home of Tullamore Dew before it's 1960's transfer to Powers at John's Lane. The distillery closed 3 years later and this whiskey stock was discovered in the basement of Knappogue Castle by it's new owner, Mark Edwin Andrews.

Distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1987 under the castle's name.

Imported into the US by Great Spirits Company, Manhasset, NY.

Glenrothes 1957 Cadenhead's 22 Year Old Sherry Wood

Wm. Cadenhead are Scotland's oldest independent bottler, operating for over 175 years, but perhaps none of their bottlings are as sought after as these 'dumpy' style bottles. These were produced with brown glass and an iconic black label (white for the occasional grain whisky), with each distillery given its own letterpress font in homage to William Cadenhead's early career in the printing business.

This Glenrothes was distilled in April 1957 and bottled from sherry wood in April 1979.

Earmarked from an early stage an ideal component in blended Scotch whiskies, Glenrothes has long been a key part of big brands such as Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse. Its relationship with the former, lead to a three decade-long association with London wine-merchants, Berry Brothers & Rudd, who first approached Highland Distillers about licensing the Glenrothes single malt brand in 1983, eventually trading the Cutty Sark blend with Edrington for full ownership of it in 2010. The distillery itself remained with Edrington through, and the two were reunited when the now hugely successful brand was returned in 2017. Releases from independent labels like this have also always been highly regarded.

Glen Grant 1954 Berry Brothers and Rudd

Berry Brothers & Rudd is a firm steeped in history. They were established in the late 17th century, and received a Royal Warrant from King Edward VII in 1903. The company has been bottling single malt whisky from almost as early as that, and produced their first ever blend, Cutty Sark, in 1923.

A fantastic old vintage bottling of Glen Grant, distilled in Speyside back in 1954 and bottled in 1970.

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006. 

Glenfarclas 1969 Whyte and Whyte 25 Year Old Sherry Cask 75cl / Spirits Library

Glenfarclas is considered by many to be one of the finest distilleries in Speyside. Its direct-fired stills produce a heavy single malt that is almost exclusively matured in Jerez sherry casks. The distillery focuses on single malt over blends, and a cool microclimate around the distillery that means that their casks are particularly stingy to the \"angels,\" resulting in an incredible depth of stock. Glenfarclas also feel they share some credit for the modern day love of cask strength whisky, introducing their acclaimed 105 proof expressions back in 1968.  

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.

Glenugie 1966 Signatory Vintage 33 Year Old Silent Stills 75cl / US Import

A rare Signatory Vintage bottling of Glenugie. Part of Signatory Vintage's Silent Stills series which highlights Scotland's lost distilleries (some of these, such as Glenglassaugh, have since returned however).

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.

Distilled on 31st of December 1966 and bottled on the 15th of August 2000 at 33 years old.

A well-regarded distillery in its time, Glenugie was primarily tasked with providing single malt for the Long John blends. Oversupply in the 1980s saw it close, along with many others, in 1983. The distillery has long since been dismantled, with its stock and brand name under ownership of Chivas Brothers. Despite this, there have been very few official bottlings, and those from independents like this are highly prized. 

This is bottle number 20 of 148.

Glen Grant 45 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail 1980s

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006. 

Glen Grant licensed its brand to a number of bottlers in the mid to late 20th century, the most prominent of which was Gordon & MacPhail. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high quality casks, and subsequently, high quality releases. The preference of the Italian parent firm at the distillery today for its younger output, often means that Gordon & MacPhail are given access to some impressively aged casks. 

This is a 45 year old, bottled in the 1980s.

Knappogue Castle 1951 Single Cask 36 Year Old #9 / US Import

A single malt Irish whiskey produced at the long-lost B. Daly distillery, former home of Tullamore Dew before it's 1960's transfer to Powers at John's Lane. The distillery closed 3 years later and this whiskey stock was discovered in the basement of Knappogue Castle by its new owner, Mark Edwin Andrews.

Distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1987 under the castle's name.

A single pot still, this was bottled at 36 years old from cask #9

Imported into the US by Castle Brands, NY.

Knappogue Castle 1951 Single Cask 36 Year Old #9 / US Import

A single malt Irish whiskey produced at the long-lost B. Daly distillery, former home of Tullamore Dew before it's 1960's transfer to Powers at John's Lane. The distillery closed 3 years later and this whiskey stock was discovered in the basement of Knappogue Castle by its new owner, Mark Edwin Andrews.

Distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1987 under the castle's name.

A single pot still, this was bottled at 36 years old from cask #9

Imported into the US by Castle Brands, NY.

Glen Garioch 1971 Single Cask 30 Year Old #2036 75cl / US Import

Glen Garioch is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. For most of the 20th century it was self-sufficient, malting its own barley using peat from Pitsligo, giving it a unique smoky character. The maltings and distillery were closed down by Beam Suntory in 1995, and only the latter resumed operations two years later, with contemporary Glen Garioch becoming an un-peated single malt. These pre-1995 vintages are worth investigating while you can. 

Hogshead #2036 was distilled in 1971 and bottled for the US market as a 30 year old.

Glenugie 1966 Signatory Vintage 31 Year Old Silent Stills

A rare Signatory Vintage bottling of Glenugie. Part of Signatory Vintage's Silent Stills series which highlights Scotland's lost distilleries.

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.

Distilled on 31st of December 1966 and bottled on the 5th of June 1998 at 31 years old.

A well-regarded distillery in its time, Glenugie was primarily tasked with providing single malt for the Long John blends. Oversupply in the 1980s saw it close, along with many others, in 1983. The distillery has long since been dismantled, with its stock and brand name under ownership of Chivas Brothers. Despite this, there have been very few official bottlings, and those from independents like this are highly prized. 

This is bottle number 146 of 206. 

Glen Grant 19 Year Old Cadenhead's Dark Sherry Wood 1970s

Wm. Cadenhead are Scotland's oldest independent bottler, operating for over 175 years, but perhaps none of their bottlings are as sought after as these 'dumpy' style bottles. These were produced with brown glass and an iconic black label (white for the occasional grain whisky), with each distillery given its own letterpress font in homage to William Cadenhead's early career in the printing business.

One of the earliest releases, this is a dark sherry wood matured Glen Grant from the late 1970s.

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006.

Glenury Royal 1971 Rare Malts 23 Year Old / 61.3%

The Rare Malts Selection was a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005. As with the Flora & Fauna series, they were often from lesser-seen single malt distilleries.

Glenury Royal is so-called due to its earliest proprietor, Captain James Barclay, being a close friend of King William IV. The distillery is one of many picked up by DCL (now Diageo) during an era of optimism in the mid-20th century, before being closed down in the early 1980s after a market downturn created an oversupply. Indeed, Glenury closed in 1985 and subsequently demolished. As such, official bottlings are rare. Rarer still are those bottled under the Downie and Garron brand names.  

This is one of only two releases in the Rare Malts Selection series, and of only a handful more distillery bottlings in the Diageo era.

Glen Avon 50 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail Decanter 1980s

A wonderful old bottling of a mystery Speyside single malt by Gordon & MacPhail. 

Italian importer Ernesto Mainardi purchased a number of bottlings of Glen Avon for his Sestante label in the 1980s, and has previously stated that Glen Avon was Glenfarclas single malt, but this has never been confirmed (or denied) by Gordon & MacPhail.

This is a 50 year old in a Dartington crystal decanter.

Glen Grant 1954 Berry Brothers and Rudd

Berry Brothers & Rudd is a firm steeped in history. They were established in the late 17th century, and received a Royal Warrant from King Edward VII in 1903. The company has been bottling single malt whisky from almost as early as that, and produced their first ever blend, Cutty Sark, in 1923.

A fantastic old vintage bottling of Glen Grant, distilled in Speyside back in 1954 and bottled in 1970.

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006. 

Glen Grant 1954 Berry Brothers and Rudd

Berry Brothers & Rudd is a firm steeped in history. They were established in the late 17th century, and received a Royal Warrant from King Edward VII in 1903. The company has been bottling single malt whisky from almost as early as that, and produced their first ever blend, Cutty Sark, in 1923.

A fantastic old vintage bottling of Glen Grant, distilled in Speyside back in 1954 and bottled in 1970.

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006. 

Glen Grant 1954 Berry Brothers and Rudd

Berry Brothers & Rudd is a firm steeped in history. They were established in the late 17th century, and received a Royal Warrant from King Edward VII in 1903. The company has been bottling single malt whisky from almost as early as that, and produced their first ever blend, Cutty Sark, in 1923.

A fantastic old vintage bottling of Glen Grant, distilled in Speyside back in 1954 and bottled in 1970.

Glen Grant is one of Speyside's most recognised distilleries. It was built in 1839 by James and John Grant, and was a huge facility for its time. Its size increased exponentially over time, in the hands of John's son, John \"The Major\" Grant (who also built the short-lived Caperdonich next-door), and twice in the 1970s following the merger with The Glenlivet Distillers and its subsequent takeover by Seagram. Glen Grant was bottled as a single malt as early as the late-19th century, and developed a global export market. None perhaps as important as in Italy, where their agent in the 1960s, Armando Giovinetti, turned it into the nation's favourite whisky, after discovering the palate preferences of his countrymen for very young single malts. So loved is Glen Grant in Italy, that the distillery is now owned by Gruppo Campari, who bought it from Pernod Ricard in 2006.