The Perfect Collection Part Two

Dallas Dhu 1921 Private Cask 64 Year Old #296

In its time a key component of the Roderick Dhu blended Scotch, Dallas Dhu is a rarely seen single malt. As with much of the DCL (now Diageo) portfolio, the distillery was deemed surplus to requirements during the market downturn of the 1980s, and closed in 1983. It is now run as a distillery museum by Historic Environment Scotland. Very few official bottlings exist, and it is incredibly sought after when rare independent bottlings appear.

This is a stunning private single cask release, distilled back in 1921 and some of the last whisky distilled while the distillery was under ownership of J.P. O'Brian. It would be sold later that year to the Benmore Distillery Company, who were in turn procured by DCL in 1929. J.P. O'Brian only held the distillery for a short time, buying it from Wright & Greig at the close of the first world war. The company went into liquidation, necessitating its sale in 1921.

This was bottled in 1965 after an incredible 64 years in cask.

Dalmore 1926 50 Year Old Decanter

Dalmore is undoubtedly the prize single malt in the Whyte & Mackay portfolio. This was not always the case though. The blenders purchased it from the Mackenzie family in 1960, having been long-standing customers. Due to the long-running importance of it to their blends, their distillery bottlings of its single malt were limited to a 12 year old expression. Nowadays however, it is positioned as a luxury brand, rubbing shoulder with the likes of Macallan, and is globally recognised.

A spectacular Dalmore distilled all the way back in 1926, just a few years after the distillery had re-opened after spending three years being used as a factory to produce American missiles. It was bottled in the 1970s by oweners, Whyte & Mackay.

Daly's Tullamore 1949 Cadenhead's 41 Year Old / 150th Anniversary

Today, Tullamore Dew is a very popular Irish blend, produced by William Grant & Sons at a new Tullamore distillery. Daly's Tullamore on the other hand, was a historic site for distilling since the 1780s, with a distillery being built there in 1829. This Daly's distillery produced a range of whiskies.

The Dew took its name from Daniel E Williams, the hugely successful manager of the distillery who worked there over a 60 year stretch. 

The distillery operated until 1954 when it closed. This whisky was distilled in 1949 and bottled at cask strength in 1991 as a 41 year old, by Wm. Cadenhead to celebrate their 150th anniversary. They are Scotland's oldest independent bottler.

This and a number of releases from other closed distilleries are the first incarnations of  theCadenhead's Authentic Collection, now its flagship brand.

Old Rip Van Winkle 15 Year Old 2002 / Stitzel-Weller

The Old Rip Van Winkle brand was a pre-prohibition bourbon label, revived by the Van Winkle family after they were forced to sell their Stitzel-Weller distillery by its board of directors. New owners, Somerset Imports, granted Julian Van Winkle II (son of the famous 'Pappy') the continued use of an office at the distillery, and first option on purchasing casks to bottle his new brand with. When he died and the business passed to his son, Julian III, this courtesy was no longer extended, and he moved bottling to the old Hoffman distillery in Lawrenceburg in 1983, renaming it Old Commonwealth. He was still able to buy Stitzel-Weller stock though, and introduced the famous Pappy Van Winkle range in homage to his grandfather, using well-aged barrels from the distillery the now-legendary figure once so lovingly ran. When Stitzel-Weller was closed down by United Distillers in 1992, it was only a matter of time before stock would run out. This necessitated a partnership between Julian Van Winkle III and Buffalo Trace distillery in 2002, seeing all bottling move there, initially using the remaining Stitzel-Weller barrels, with these eventually replaced by Buffalo Trace distilled stock. The product from all eras is revered, and the brand is considered to be the first premium bourbon line to have been produced in the US.

This was bottled in 2002 at Buffalo Trace distillery. The Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by the familiar Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve of the same age. The product from this era will contain bourbon distilled at Old Fitzgerald distillery (as Stitzel-Weller was known after 1972).

The Stitzel-Weller company was officially established in 1933 at the repeal of National Prohibition in the US. It was the result of a merger between the A. Ph. Stitzel distillery and its biggest customer, W.L. Weller & Sons. The Stitzel-Weller distillery opened on Kentucky Derby day in 1935, and quickly developed a reputation for its high quality wheated bourbon, and its main brands were Old Weller, Old Fitzgerald and Cabin Still. The original ownership was shared between Alex T. Farnsley, Arthur Philip Stitzel and Julian Van Winkle. The former passed-away in 1941 and 1947, respectively, leaving the Van Winkle family as the sole heirs to the business. 'Pappy' died in 1965, having handed the reigns to his son, Julian II the year prior, who ran it until 1972 when the board of directors forced him to sell it to the Norton-Simon subsidiary, Somerset Imports. When they were bought over by the American arm of Scottish distillers, DCL, its subsequent iteration invested heavily in bourbon. So much so in fact, that their newly rebuilt Bernheim distillery had such capacity that Stitzel-Weller was rendered surplus to requirements. It was shut down in 1992. Still part of the Diageo portfolio, it has never re-opened and instead now houses the visitor experience for their Bulleit brand.

Bottle number A7716.

Old Vatted Talisker 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky circa 1910s / US Import

A very unusual blended Scotch whisky, marketed in the US from as early as 1905 by G.F. Heublein & Bro.

Hublein was founded in 1862 by a German American entrepreneur named Andrew Hublein. When the business past to his sons, Gilbert and Louis, it was renamed the Gilbert F. Hueblein & Bro company, and plied its trade selling pre-mixed Martini and Manhattan cocktails by the bottle. The company was hugely successful over the course of the 20th century, and over the years was the rights-holder to Smirnoff vodka, as well as the distribution rights to Don Q rum, Jose Cuervo tequila, Bell's whisky and Guinness Stout. It also dabbled in the food industry, of particular note purchasing KFC in 1971. Heublein purchased a majority stake in United Vintners in 1969, eventually leading to its acquisition by Grand Metropolitan in 1987. They of course merged with Guinness in 1997 to create Diageo, the current owners of Talisker distillery, incredibly tying the story of these two companies together at opposite ends of the century.

This however is not a Talisker single malt. This is an early 20th century blend, likely containing some Talisker single malt, but blended with grain to provide a smoother flavour profile to Hueblein customer base, more used to the company's easier-drinking products.

Old Vatted Talisker 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky circa 1910s / US Import

A very unusual blended Scotch whisky, marketed in the US from as early as 1905 by G.F. Heublein & Bro.

Hublein was founded in 1862 by a German American entrepreneur named Andrew Hublein. When the business past to his sons, Gilbert and Louis, it was renamed the Gilbert F. Hueblein & Bro company, and plied its trade selling pre-mixed Martini and Manhattan cocktails by the bottle. The company was hugely successful over the course of the 20th century, and over the years was the rights-holder to Smirnoff vodka, as well as the distribution rights to Don Q rum, Jose Cuervo tequila, Bell's whisky and Guinness Stout. It also dabbled in the food industry, of particular note purchasing KFC in 1971. Heublein purchased a majority stake in United Vintners in 1969, eventually leading to its acquisition by Grand Metropolitan in 1987. They of course merged with Guinness in 1997 to create Diageo, the current owners of Talisker distillery, incredibly tying the story of these two companies together at opposite ends of the century.

This however is not a Talisker single malt. This is an early 20th century blend, likely containing some Talisker single malt, but blended with grain to provide a smoother flavour profile to Hueblein customer base, more used to the company's easier-drinking products.

Dailuaine 1966 Cadenhead's 31 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 1966 vintage Dailuaine was bottled for the US in June 1997.

Dailuaine was at a time in the 19th century, Speyside's largest distillery, and it was home to Scotland's first pagoda roofed kiln. That distillery perished in a fire however, in 1917. The newly rebuilt distillery was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) who used its \"meaty\" spirit as a filler for their many blends. As with most of the single malt operations in the Diageo portfolio, the Flora & Fauna release was Dailuaine's first ever distillery bottling. Its single malt had been available in the form of independent releases like this in the preceding years though.

Old Weller Antique Original 107 Brand 1 Litre 1995 / Stitzel-Weller

William Larue Weller was born into a distilling family in Kentucky in 1825, and launched his W.L. Weller brand in 1849. Originally a rectification business (creating 'whiskey' using neutral spirit, colouring and flavourings), this all changed with the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 and the death of Weller two years later. The company was left in the hands of the fiercely passionate Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle I who, having steered it safely through the wreckage of National Prohibition, established Old Weller alongside the newly acquired Old Fitzgerald labels and the flagship brands for the new Stitzel-Weller distillery in 1933. It was produced there for over 60 years, eventually being sold to the Sazerac Company in 1999, who distil it at Buffalo Trace using Pappy's recipe to this day.

This is a 1995 bottling of the Old Weller Antique, their 107 proof wheated bourbon. This was produced by United Distillers using barrels of Stitzel-Weller stock, although at the time they were filled the distillery was trading by the name, Old Fitzgerald. It would revert back upon its closure.

The Stitzel-Weller company was officially established in 1933 at the repeal of National Prohibition in the US. It was the result of a merger between the A. Ph. Stitzel distillery and its biggest customer, W.L. Weller & Sons. The Stitzel-Weller distillery opened on Kentucky Derby day in 1935, and quickly developed a reputation for its high quality wheated bourbon, and its main brands were Old Weller, Old Fitzgerald and Cabin Still. The original ownership was shared between Alex T. Farnsley, Arthur Philip Stitzel and Julian Van Winkle. The former passed-away in 1941 and 1947, respectively, leaving the Van Winkle family as the sole heirs to the business. 'Pappy' died in 1965, having handed the reigns to his son, Julian II the year prior, who ran it until 1972 when the board of directors forced him to sell it to the Norton-Simon subsidiary, Somerset Imports. When they were bought over by the American arm of Scottish distillers, DCL, its subsequent iteration invested heavily in bourbon. So much so in fact, that their newly rebuilt Bernheim distillery had such capacity that Stitzel-Weller was rendered surplus to requirements. It was shut down in 1992. Still part of the Diageo portfolio, it has never re-opened and instead now houses the visitor experience for their Bulleit brand.

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 90 Proof 2002 / Stitzel-Weller

The Old Rip Van Winkle brand was a pre-prohibition bourbon label, revived by the Van Winkle family after they were forced to sell their Stitzel-Weller distillery by its board of directors. New owners, Somerset Imports, granted Julian Van Winkle II (son of the famous 'Pappy') the continued use of an office at the distillery, and first option on purchasing casks to bottle his new brand with. When he died and the business passed to his son, Julian III, this courtesy was no longer extended, and he moved bottling to the old Hoffman distillery in Lawrenceburg in 1983, renaming it Old Commonwealth. He was still able to buy Stitzel-Weller stock though, and introduced the famous Pappy Van Winkle range in homage to his grandfather, using well-aged barrels from the distillery the now-legendary figure once so lovingly ran. When Stitzel-Weller was closed down by United Distillers in 1992, it was only a matter of time before stock would run out. This necessitated a partnership between Julian Van Winkle III and Buffalo Trace distillery in 2002, seeing all bottling move there, initially using the remaining Stitzel-Weller barrels, with these eventually replaced by Buffalo Trace distilled stock. The product from all eras is revered, and the brand is considered to be the first premium bourbon line to have been produced in the US.

The 10 year old Handmade Bourbon is one of the original Old Rip Van Winkle brands, first bottled by Julian Van Winkle III in 1980s. This is a rare 90 proof example, and was bottled at Buffalo Trace in 2002, one of the first to be filled there. This likely contains some of the last 10 year old Stitzel-Weller stock ever bottled.

The Stitzel-Weller company was officially established in 1933 at the repeal of National Prohibition in the US. It was the result of a merger between the A. Ph. Stitzel distillery and its biggest customer, W.L. Weller & Sons. The Stitzel-Weller distillery opened on Kentucky Derby day in 1935, and quickly developed a reputation for its high quality wheated bourbon, and its main brands were Old Weller, Old Fitzgerald and Cabin Still. The original ownership was shared between Alex T. Farnsley, Arthur Philip Stitzel and Julian Van Winkle. The former passed-away in 1941 and 1947, respectively, leaving the Van Winkle family as the sole heirs to the business. 'Pappy' died in 1965, having handed the reigns to his son, Julian II the year prior, who ran it until 1972 when the board of directors forced him to sell it to the Norton-Simon subsidiary, Somerset Imports. When they were bought over by the American arm of Scottish distillers, DCL, its subsequent iteration invested heavily in bourbon. So much so in fact, that their newly rebuilt Bernheim distillery had such capacity that Stitzel-Weller was rendered surplus to requirements. It was shut down in 1992. Still part of the Diageo portfolio, it has never re-opened and instead now houses the visitor experience for their Bulleit brand.

Oban 1969 Cask Strength 32 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Oban is a small distillery, situated in the heart of the high street in the town after which it is named. Although its output is deliberately low in order to retain its character, it had an early presence on the single malt scene, with the blending company John Hopkins & Co, under license from DCL, introduced a 12 year old expression back in 1979. The newly launched Oban single malt brand was introduced alongside a new 14 year old distillery bottling in 1988, when the distillery was selected by United Distillers to represent the Western Highlands in the Classic Malts range.

This is a well-aged and incredibly desirable Oban, distilled in 1969 and released as a 32 year old.

Bottled in 2002, this is number 4994 of 6000.

Old Midleton 1967 35 Year Old Irish Whiskey / Potstill & TWE

A rare blended whisky, produced using malt and grain from the Old Midleton distillery. Married together as new make spirit and left to mature for 35 years before being exclusively bottled for Potstill and The Whisky Exchange.

The Old Midleton distillery was established by the Murphy brothers in 1825, having converted an old woolden mill originally built by Marcus Lynch on land granted to him by the Viscount Midleton. The Cork Distilleries group was formed in 1867, with Midleton joining the following year, and over the next century, it was the last in the company still active. Cork Distilleries has been the product of a market downturn caused by various political, social and economic factors, and just shot of 100 years later, a similar melting pot of problems was boiling over. The result was that Ireland remaining three companies, Cork Distilleries, Powers and Jameson, all joined forces to become the Irish Distillers group. Their distilleries were closed down over the next decade, with all operations moved to a New Midleton distillery, which opened in 1975. Old Midleton is now the home of a Jameson visitor experience, and whiskey distilled there in its time is increasingly valuable.

Dalmore 20 Year Old Edoardo Giaccone Whiskyteca 20th Anniversary

Dalmore is undoubtedly the prize single malt in the Whyte & Mackay portfolio. This was not always the case though. The blenders purchased it from the Mackenzie family in 1960, having been long-standing customers. Due to the long-running importance of it to their blends, their distillery bottlings of its single malt were limited to a 12 year old expression. Nowadays however, it is positioned as a luxury brand, rubbing shoulder with the likes of Macallan, and is globally recognised. 

This is a very rare old bottling from 1978, produced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Edoardo Giacconne's 'whiskyteca' in Salo, Italy.

Giaccone was something of a trailblazer, and was importing specially bottled official single malts for his bar from the late 1960s. He opened the famous venue in 1958, and it has been called a few different things over the years, including Garten, Edward & Edward, and La Taverna del Comandante.

Edoardo set the stage for later legendary bottlers such as Silvano Samaroli, Nadi Fiori and Ernesto Mainardi. Moon Import founder, Pepi Mongiardino said, \"he was the first person I visited\" when he became the distributor for Bruichladdich in 1981. Giaccone did not have any of his own labels or series, but was the first person in Italy to have official bottlings produced exclusively for him. Through his bar, Italy was treated to exclusive releases from Clynelish, Bowmore, Dalmore, Highland Park and even Jack Daniel's.

Bottle 360 of just 600.

Dalmore 20 Year Old Edoardo Giaccone Whiskyteca 20th Anniversary

A very rare old bottling of Dalmore, bottled in 1978 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Edoardo Giacconne's 'whiskyteca' in Salo, Italy.

Giaccone was something of a trailblazer, and was importing specially bottled official single malts for his bar from the late 1960s. He opened the famous venue in 1958, and it has been called a few different things over the years, including Garten, Edward & Edward, and La Taverna del Comandante.

Edoardo set the stage for later legendary bottlers such as Silvano Samaroli, Nadi Fiori and Ernesto Mainardi. Moon Import founder, Pepi Mongiardino said, \"he was the first person I visited\" when he became the distributor for Bruichladdich in 1981. Giaccone did not have any of his own labels or series, but was the first person in Italy to have official bottlings produced exclusively for him. Through his bar, Italy was treated to exclusive releases from Clynelish, Bowmore, Dalmore, Highland Park and even Jack Daniel's.

Bottle 390 of just 600.

Dalmore 20 Year Old Edoardo Giaccone Whiskyteca 20th Anniversary

A very rare old bottling of Dalmore, bottled in 1978 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Edoardo Giacconne's 'whiskyteca' in Salo, Italy.

Giaccone was something of a trailblazer, and was importing specially bottled official single malts for his bar from the late 1960s. He opened the famous venue in 1958, and it has been called a few different things over the years, including Garten, Edward & Edward, and La Taverna del Comandante.

Edoardo set the stage for later legendary bottlers such as Silvano Samaroli, Nadi Fiori and Ernesto Mainardi. Moon Import founder, Pepi Mongiardino said, \"he was the first person I visited\" when he became the distributor for Bruichladdich in 1981. Giaccone did not have any of his own labels or series, but was the first person in Italy to have official bottlings produced exclusively for him. Through his bar, Italy was treated to exclusive releases from Clynelish, Bowmore, Dalmore, Highland Park and even Jack Daniel's.

Bottle 410 of just 600.

Oban 16 Year Old Manager's Dram Bicentenary 1994

The Manager’s Dram series of whiskies were bottled exclusively for employees of what is now known as Diageo.  These whiskies were selected by the respective distillery managers within Diageo malt distilling and bottled at natural cask strength.

Bottled to celebrate Oban’s 200th anniversary 1794–1994  this 16 year old was released exclusively from sherry casks by distillery manager John William and his employees listed on the rear of the bottle.

Bottled July 1994.

Oban is a small distillery, situated in the heart of the high street in the town after which it is named. Although its output is deliberately low in order to retain its character, it had an early presence on the single malt scene, with the blending company John Hopkins & Co, under license from DCL, introduced a 12 year old expression back in 1979. The newly launched Oban single malt brand was introduced alongside a new 14 year old distillery bottling in 1988, when the distillery was selected by United Distillers to represent the Western Highlands in the Classic Malts range.

Dalmore 1963 Cadenhead's 30 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 is a 1963 vintage Dalmore, bottled for the US market in 1993.

Dalmore is undoubtedly the prize single malt in the Whyte & Mackay portfolio. This was not always the case though. The blenders purchased it from the Mackenzie family in 1960, having been long-standing customers. Due to the long-running importance of it to their blends, their distillery bottlings of its single malt were limited to a 12 year old expression. Nowadays however, it is positioned as a luxury brand, rubbing shoulder with the likes of Macallan, and is globally recognised. Independent releases like this are hard to come by.

Dalwhinnie 1966 Cadenhead's 27 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 Dalwhinnie was distilled in 1966 and bottled for the US market in October 1993.

Dalwhinnie was one of the six original Classic Malts when they were selected by DCL (now Diageo) back in 1988, and it was tipped to become the favourite among consumers on account of its flawless floral flavours and elegant character. Although eventually pipped at the post by the smoky dark horse that was the Lagavulin 16 year old, it remains a well-loved single malt. The distillery is both the highest and coldest in Scotland, contributing to its unique flavour through the rapid condensing that occurs in its worm tubs. 

Dalmore 29 Year Old Stillman's Dram 75cl / US Import

Dalmore is undoubtedly the prize single malt in the Whyte & Mackay portfolio. This was not always the case though. The blenders purchased it from the Mackenzie family in 1960, having been long-standing customers. Due to the long-running importance of it to their blends, their distillery bottlings of its single malt were limited to a 12 year old expression. Nowadays however, it is positioned as a luxury brand, rubbing shoulder with the likes of Macallan, and is globally recognised. 

An early 1990s bottling, aged for an impressive 29 years.

This was bottled within The Stillman's Dram series of whiskies, a premium range of limited editions which showcased impressive age-statements from the Whyte & Mackay distillery portfolio, which also includes Jura, Tamnavulin and Invergordon.

Dufftown 1966 Cadenhead's 28 Year Old Sherry Wood 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 1966 vintage Dufftown was bottled for the US market in November 1994 after maturation in sherry wood.

Dufftown was built in 1896, becoming part of the Arthur Bell & Sons portfolio in 1933. As with Blair Athol, Dufftown was regularly bottled as a single malt, despite its importance to the Bell's blends. When the company was bought by Guinness in 1985 (becoming Diageo two years later), these bottlings stopped, but a Dufftown distillery bottling returned in the 1990s as part of the Flora & Fauna series, later becoming part of The Singleton stable. Prior to the construction of Roseisle, Dufftown was Diageo's largest distillery. 

Dailuaine 1980 Flora and Fauna Cask Strength

Following on from the successful introduction of the Classic Malts range in 1988 (at the time only six expressions), Diageo sought to build on this by releasing a further 26 single malts. These became affectionately known as the Flora & Fauna series, a term coined by whisky writer, Michael Jackson, in reference to their labels, and the range showcased the lesser-seen distilleries from the extensive Diageo portfolio at the time. A handful of these have become permanent distillery bottlings, but the majority are increasingly rare limited releases from this highly collectible series.

One of the nine rare Flora & Fauna releases bottled at cask strength, this Dailuaine was distilled in 1980 and bottled in 1997.

Dailuaine was at a time, in the 19th century, Speyside's largest distillery, and it was home to Scotland's first pagoda roofed kiln. That distillery perished in a fire however, in 1917. The newly rebuilt distillery was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) who used its \"meaty\" spirit as a filler for one of their many blends. As with many of the single malt operations in the Diageo portfolio, the Flora & Fauna release was Dailuaine's first ever distillery bottling. A fan favourite, it is one of the few still available as a permanent release. This cask strength limited edition is highly sought after though.

Dalmore 29 Year Old Stillman's Dram 75cl / US Import

Dalmore is undoubtedly the prize single malt in the Whyte & Mackay portfolio. This was not always the case though. The blenders purchased it from the Mackenzie family in 1960, having been long-standing customers. Due to the long-running importance of it to their blends, their distillery bottlings of its single malt were limited to a 12 year old expression. Nowadays however, it is positioned as a luxury brand, rubbing shoulder with the likes of Macallan, and is globally recognised.

This was bottled within The Stillman's Dram series of whiskies, a late 1990s premium range of limited editions which showcased impressive age-statements from the Whyte & Mackay distillery portfolio, which also includes Jura, Tamnavulin and at the time, Bruichladdich.

Dallas Dhu 1970 Rare Malts 24 Year Old / 60.6%

In its time a key component of the Roderick Dhu blended Scotch, Dallas Dhu is a rarely seen single malt. As with much of the DCL (now Diageo) portfolio, the distillery was deemed surplus to requirements during the market downturn of the 1980s, and closed in 1983. It is now run as a distillery museum by Historic Environment Scotland. Very few official bottlings exist, and it is incredibly sought after when rare independent bottlings appear. 

This a rare official bottling, distilled in 1970 and bottled long after the distillery's closure as a 24 year old.

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.

Dufftown 1966 Cadenhead's 20 Year Old

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 Dufftown was distilled in 1966 and bottled in 1986.

Dufftown was built in 1896, becoming part of the Arthur Bell & Sons portfolio in 1933. As with Blair Athol, Dufftown was regularly bottled as a single malt, despite its importance to the Bell's blends. When the company was bought by Guinness in 1985 (becoming Diageo two years later), these bottlings stopped, but a Dufftown distillery bottling returned in the 1990s as part of the Flora & Fauna series, later becoming part of The Singleton stable. Prior to the construction of Roseisle, Dufftown was Diageo's largest distillery.

Dufftown 40 Year Old 1960s

Dufftown was built in 1896, becoming part of the Arthur Bell & Sons portfolio in 1933. As with Blair Athol, Dufftown was regularly bottled as a single malt, despite its importance to the Bell's blends. When the company was bought by Guinness in 1985, these bottlings stopped, but a Dufftown distillery bottling returned in 1991 as part of United Distillers’ Flora & Fauna series, later becoming part of The Singleton stable. Prior to the construction of Roseisle, Dufftown was Diageo's largest distillery

An incredible age-statement from the height of the Arthur Bell & Sons era, this was bottled for the Italian market at some point in the 1960s, meaning this will contain some spectacularly old vintages.

Dailuaine 1962 Cadenhead's 27 Year Old

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 27 year old Dailuaine was originally bottled in 1989 in the aforementioned dumpy style, and later rebottled here as part of the Authentic Collection. Some were also repackaged as part of the 150th anniversary releases.

Dailuaine was at a time in the 19th century, Speyside's largest distillery, and it was home to Scotland's first pagoda roofed kiln. That distillery perished in a fire however, in 1917. The newly rebuilt distillery was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) who used its \"meaty\" spirit as a filler for their many blends. As with most of the single malt operations in the Diageo portfolio, the Flora & Fauna release was Dailuaine's first ever distillery bottling. Its single malt had been available in the form of independent releases like this in the preceding years though. 

Old Fettercairn 1966 Single Cask 30 Year Old #449 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, known as \"Old Fettercairn\" until 2002 when the prefix was dropped. 

This is a 1966 vintage, bottled from single cask #449 in September 1996.

Oban 19 Year Old Manager’s Dram 1995 / 59.24%

The Manager’s Dram series of whiskies were bottled exclusively for employees of what is now known as Diageo. These whiskies were selected by the respective distillery managers within Diageo malt distilling and bottled at natural cask strength. The selections were taken very seriously by each distillery, a point of principle, and the result has become a series of rare, sought after and highly regarded single malts.

1995 saw the turn of Oban distillery manager, John Williams, who bottled this 19 year old from specially selected refill casks.

This is an rare version with a slightly different ABV from the bottle more commonly seen.

Oban is a small distillery, situated in the heart of the high street in the town after which it is named. Although its output is deliberately low in order to retain its character, it had an early presence on the single malt scene, with the blending company John Hopkins & Co, under license from DCL, introduced a 12 year old expression back in 1979. The newly launched Oban single malt brand was introduced alongside a new 14 year old distillery bottling in 1988, when the distillery was selected by United Distillers to represent the Western Highlands in the Classic Malts range.

Oban 19 Year Old Manager's Dram 1995

The Manager’s Dram series of whiskies were bottled exclusively for employees of what is now known as Diageo. These whiskies were selected by the respective distillery managers within Diageo malt distilling and bottled at natural cask strength. The selections were taken very seriously by each distillery, a point of principle, and the result has become a series of rare, sought after and highly regarded single malts.

1995 saw the turn of Oban distillery manager, John Williams, who bottled this 19 year old from specially selected refill casks.

A rare alternate version of this also exists, with a slightly lower ABV from this more commonly seen example.

Oban is a small distillery, situated in the heart of the high street in the town after which it is named. Although its output is deliberately low in order to retain its character, it had an early presence on the single malt scene, with the blending company John Hopkins & Co, under license from DCL, introduced a 12 year old expression back in 1979. The newly launched Oban single malt brand was introduced alongside a new 14 year old distillery bottling in 1988, when the distillery was selected by United Distillers to represent the Western Highlands in the Classic Malts range.

Dumbarton 1959 Cadenhead's 25 Year Old 

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 is a rare single grain, which were presented with an inversion of the classic black and white labels. Distilled at Dumbarton in 1959, this was bottled in 1984.

Dumbarton is a closed grain distillery, known for using American-style stainless steel columns rather than the traditional Coffey stills. Only using maize (instead of wheat or barley) meant that the spirit possessed quite a heavy character. Rarely bottled as a single grain, the overwhelming majority was used in the Ballantine’s blend. The distillery itself shut in 2002, and is now demolished.  

Old Fettercairn 1967 Single Cask 30 Year Old #2394 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, known as \"Old Fettercairn\" until 2002 when the prefix was dropped. 

This is a 1967 vintage, bottled from single cask #2394 in September 1997.

Andrew Usher Old Vatted Glenlivet circa 1930s

A blended Scotch from Edinburgh-based firm, by J&G Stewart. This is a vatting of Glenlivet region single malts and other Scotch whiskies. 

Usher's is considered the father of all blended Scotch whisky, originally created by Andrew Usher all the way back in 1853.

Dunville's VR Old Irish Whisky Half Bottle circa 1920s

A fantastic example of Dunville's VR Old Irish Whisky, produced at their distillery in Belfast. A gold medal winner at the 1900 Paris Exhibition, the company went into liquidation in 1936 following the death of the chairman and the last Dunville heir. Unlike other Irish distillers of this era, the company was actually quite profitable when it went into liquidation. 

The Dunville's brand name has been revivedin recent years however, bottled by the Echlinville distillery on the Northern Irish east coast.