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.

Port Ellen 21 Year Old Maltings 25th Anniversary

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings long after its closure, as part of the Rare Malts Selection.

This is a stunning, and particularly rare, Port Ellen, bottled in 1998 (around the same time as the first Rare Malts Selection) to mark the 25th anniversary of the Port Ellen Maltings.

This has been widely reviewed and acclaimed, reaching a cracking 94 points on WhiskyFun.com! A Port Ellen for any serious collector.

Pride of Strathspey 1938 Gordon and MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail are one of the largest and most recognisable whisky companies in the world. Although they began distilling at the newly refurbished Benromach distillery in 1998, for most of their history they were an independent bottler. Their labels are recognised by whisky lovers the world over, and their licensed bottlings from distillery's like Macallan and Talisker in the 1970s and 1980s, when the companies were not bottling themselves, are a huge part of the success of those distillers today.

Rumour has it that these undisclosed Pride of Strathspey malts were in fact Macallan, but this has never been confirmed.

Port Ellen 1979 22 Year Old 1st Release

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo then bottled the first publically available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, followed by these annual special releases.

This is the first of them, released in 2001. It is a 1979 vintage, aged for 22 years with an outturn of 6000 bottles.

Killyloch 1967

A very rare bottling of whisky from Killyloch. The distillery existed within the long lost Moffat distilling complex, which was constructed by Inver House Distillers between 1964 and 1965. Inver House was a subsidiary of US drinks giant, Publiker, and the Moffat complex was designed to provide both malt and grain for their blending operations. The primary malt was Glen Flagler, an unpeated spirit, although a separate set of stills were used to produce peated and heavily peated single malts, called Killyloch and Islebrae, respectively. These stills were set aside in their own distillery within the complex, which took its named from the lesser-peated, Killyloch (around 3ppm, according to Malt Maniacs). The stills at Killyloch were switched off in the 1970s, with Glen Flagler and the Garnheath grain distillery following suit in 1985 and 1986, leaving the whole complex in silence.

This 36 year old official release from Inver House is a vatting of the six of the last remaining casks that  the former proprietors of the distillery had left in their care. 

One of 371 bottles.

Port Ellen 1977 Sestante for Il Carato 16 Year Old / Van Gogh Collection

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt. 

This is a very rare example for Ristorante il Carato, an enoteca in the town of Brescia. This is part of the ornately labelled Van Gogh Collection, bottled between 1992 and 1993 and includes another Port Ellen and a Dallas Dhu.

Distilled in 1978 and matured in sherry wood, this was imported under to Italy under the Sestante brand.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

Port Ellen 1977 Sestante for Il Carato 16 Year Old / Van Gogh Collection

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt. 

This is a very rare example for Ristorante il Carato, an enoteca in the town of Brescia. This is part of the ornately labelled Van Gogh Collection, bottled between 1992 and 1993 and includes another Port Ellen and a Dallas Dhu.

Distilled in 1978 and matured in sherry wood, this was imported under to Italy under the Sestante brand.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

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.

Killyloch 1972 Signatory Vintage 22 Year Old

A very rare bottling of whisky from Killyloch.  The distillery existed within the long lost Moffat distilling complex, which was constructed by Inverhouse Distillers between 1964 and 1965. Inverhouse was a subsidiary of US drinks giant, Publiker, and the Moffat complex was designed to provide both malt and grain for their blending operations. The primary malt was Glen Flagler, an unpeated spirit, although a seperate set of stills were used to produce peated and heavily peated single malts, called Killyloch and Islebrae, respectively. These stills were set aside in their own distillery within the complex, which took its named from the lesser-peated, Killyloch (around 3ppm, according to Malt Maniacs). The stills at Killyloch were switched off in the 1970s, with Glen Flagler and the Garnheath grain distillery following suit in 1985 and 1986, leaving the whole complex in silence. 

This 22 year old independent release from Signatory Vintage was distilled on the 21st March 1972 and bottled in June 1994 from single sherry cask # 206413.

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.

Bottle number 213 of 230.

Port Ellen 1970 Sestante 19 Year Old / Gallo

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt.

This is a particularly rare Sestante release, imported specially for Gallo in 1989. As with all of their bottlings, it was produced for for them by Gordon & MacPhail.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

Killyloch 1972 Signatory Vintage 22 Year Old

A very rare bottling of whisky from Killyloch.  The distillery existed within the long lost Moffat distilling complex, which was constructed by Inverhouse Distillers between 1964 and 1965. Inverhouse was a subsidiary of US drinks giant, Publiker, and the Moffat complex was designed to provide both malt and grain for their blending operations. The primary malt was Glen Flagler, an unpeated spirit, although a seperate set of stills were used to produce peated and heavily peated single malts, called Killyloch and Islebrae, respectively. These stills were set aside in their own distillery within the complex, which took its named from the lesser-peated, Killyloch (around 3ppm, according to Malt Maniacs). The stills at Killyloch were switched off in the 1970s, with Glen Flagler and the Garnheath grain distillery following suit in 1985 and 1986, leaving the whole complex in silence. 

This 22 year old independent release from Signatory Vintage was distilled on the 21st March 1972 and bottled in June 1994 from single sherry cask # 206413.

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.

Bottle number 128 of 230.

Port Ellen 1978 Rare Malts 22 Year Old / 60.50%Port Ellen 1978 Rare Malts 22 Year Old / 60.50%

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.

This Port Ellen was distilled in 1978 and bottled in October 2000. The distillery has become a collector's favourite since its closure in 1983.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, this is one of two in the series.

Kinclaith 1965 Cadenhead's 20 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 is a 1965 vintage Kinclaith, bottled from sherry wood in March 1985.

Kinclaith is another of the short-lived malt distilleries that were built, mostly by American owners, within grain distilleries in the mid-20th century. On this occasion it was the Schenley company, who bought the parent firm of Strathclyde distillery, Seager Evans, in 1957. It built the Kinclaith malt distillery within the Strathclyde complex the same year, and they operated it until 1975 when Whitbread bought Strathclyde and ripped them back out again. Nearly all of the Kinclaith output was used for the Long John blends, and it was never officially bottled as a single malt. Some casks did make their way to the independent companies though, and an elusive batch of bottlings like this has been brought to market.

Pride of Strathspey 1940 Gordon and MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail are one of the largest and most recognisable whisky companies in the world. Although they began distilling at the newly refurbished Benromach distillery in 1998, for most of their history they were an independent bottler. Their labels are recognised by whisky lovers the world over, and their licensed bottlings from distillery's like Macallan and Talisker in the 1970s and 1980s, when the companies were not bottling themselves, are a huge part of the success of those distillers today.

Rumour has it that these undisclosed Pride of Strathspey malts were in fact Macallan, but this has never been confirmed.

Port Ellen 1978 Rare Malt 20 Year Old / 60.90%

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.

This Port Ellen was distilled in 1978 and bottled in October 1998.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo bottled the first publicly available distillery bottlings as part of the Rare Malts Selection, this is one of two in the series.

Pride of Strathspey 1938 Gordon and MacPhail 46 Year Old ' Book of Kells'

Gordon & MacPhail are one of the largest and most recognisable whisky companies in the world. Although they began distilling at the newly refurbished Benromach distillery in 1998, for most of their history they were an independent bottler. Their labels are recognised by whisky lovers the world over, and their licensed bottlings from distillery's like Macallan and Talisker in the 1970s and 1980s, when the companies were not bottling themselves, are a huge part of the success of those distillers today.

Rumour has it that these undisclosed Pride of Strathspey malts were in fact Macallan, but this has never been confirmed.

The label bears artwork based on the mediaeval, illuminated manuscript for which these releases are named.

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.

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.

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. 

Port Ellen 1976 Wilson and Morgan 21 Year Old Cask Strength

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt. 

This 1976 vintage was bottled by Wilson & Morgan at cask strength in 1998.

Wilson & Morgan was founded in Italy in 1992 by Fabio Rossi, the son of prolific importer Mario Rossi Jr, who began distributing Scotch whisky back in the 1960s. His son’s company was one of a new generation of Italian bottlers established in the 1990s, which aimed to replicate the successes of predecessors like Samaroli and Moon Import.

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.

Port Ellen 1974 Sestante 15 Year Old / Antica Casa Marchesi Spinola

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt. 

This 15 year old was distilled in 1974 and is part of a Sestante series bottled in 1990 for the Antica Casa Marchesi Spinola.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

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.

Port Ellen 1977 Douglas Laing 23 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Douglas Laing & Co was established in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing, affectionately known as “FDL.” The company started out as a blending business, but over time their focus shifted towards independently bottlings single malts. Fred died in 1982, leaving the business to his two sons, Stewart and Fred Jr, who eventually carved it up in 2013, with Stewart leaving to establish Hunter Laing. Fred Jr and his daughter Cara now run Douglas Laing, which continues to bottle single malt and has also revived its blending business. Additionally, the company has recently moved into distilling as well, announcing plans to construct the new Clutha distillery in Glasgow, and taking over Strathearn in Perthshire in 2019.

The Old Malt Cask series is one of the most established independent labels on the market. It was launched by Douglas Laing in 1998 and bottled by them until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.

This 1977 vintage is a Douglas Laing bottling from May 2001.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt.

Port Ellen 1969 Gordon and MacPhail 16 Year Old

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown, closed down by DCL (now Diageo) in 1983 due to an oversupply of peated whisky for blending and a perceived lack of interest in it as a single malt. It has developed a legendary status in the years since. A very rare 12 year old bottled for attendees of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation. Diageo have bottled more since, but it is the independent companies that have given the whisky world the best chance to sample this sought after single malt. 

This is a 1969 vintage from Gordon & MacPhail.

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.

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.