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.

Highland Park 1955 Intertrade 30 Year Old

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, the owner of the Taverna degli Artisti bar in Rimini. The company was a collaboration with beer distributors, the Turatello Brothers, and the Intertrade name appears on Fiori's bottlings up to around 1989. Fiori selected his whiskies from the Gordon & MacPhail catalogue, but as a collector himself, and a contemporary of his fellow connoisseur countrymen, Silvano Samaroli and Ernesto Mainardi, he knew the importance striking label designs and requested many of his bottlings at cask strength. Whether under the Intertrade, Turatello or High Spirits banner, Fiori's bottlings are some of the most sought after on the market.

This is a spectacular 1955 vintage Highland Park, bottled for the company at cask strength.

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

Highland Park 1941 Magnus Label 25 Year Old

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This is one of several 1941 vintage bottlings of Highland Park, released by the distillery to various markets during the the 1960s. The \"Magnus Label\" is iconic, and was used by the distillery, as well as on occasion by Gordon & MacPhail until it was retired in the 1970s. The aesthetic was revived though for the sought after Inga Saga trilogy in 2009.

Highland Park 1958 40 Year Old 

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

A legendary bottling of Highland Park, this 40 year old was bottled in 1998 and was the final premium release by the distillery under its ownership by Highland Distilleries, who were acquired by Edrington and William Grant & Sons the following year.

Distilled on Orkney in 1958, this was bottled at a cask strength of 44% ABV.

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.

Haig and Haig Five Star x 12 1949 / Sealed Wooden Crate

John Haig & Co was established in 1824 with the foundation of the Cameronbridge distillery. Already part of a great distilling dynasty, John's uncles had all been distillery owners, and his aunt had been married to John Jameson in Dublin. John Haig & Co were one of the five founding members of DCL in 1877, although were run independently from it until 1919. Best known for its Gold Label and Dimple blends, which were sold all over the world, the firm were also granted the licences to the Glenkinchie, Mannochmore and Glenlossie malt distilleries by DCL, but never bottled their single malts. The company's prominence declined in the latter half of the 20th century, but Diageo have revived the Haig name it in recent times as the single grain brand for the Cameronbridge distillery.

This is a sealed wooden crate of their Five Star blend, destined for the US market. It contains twelve bottles, all produced in 1949.

This lot has a 12 bottle shipping fee.

Yoichi 1984 Single Cask 15 Year Old #103440 75cl 

A very rare bottling from Nikka's flagship distillery in Hokkaido, Japan. Nikka was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a former Suntory employee who had studied at the University of Glasgow, and later trained as a blender at the now lost Hazelburn distillery in Campbeltown.  Taketsuru opened the Yoichi distillery in the same year as establishing the company, modelling its pot stills on the long-necked design of the Longmorn stills in Speyside.  

This is a 1984 vintage single cask, bottled in April 2000.

Highland Park 1957 Cadenhead's 23 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 Highland Park was distilled in May 1957 and bottled in November 1980.

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

Yamazaki Suntory White Whisky 1950s

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

This is a 1950s example of the classic Suntory White.

These bottles would have been produced using malt and grain distilled at Yamazaki distillery. Suntory's grain whisky production was moved to Chita distillery during their expansion in the 1980s.

Highland Malt 1922 Berry Brothers and Co 18 Year Old / US Import

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.

This is a 1922 single malt, distilled at an unknown distillery in the Highlands and bottled for the US market by Berry Brothers & Co. This was the company's former name, which later changed to Berry Brothers & Rudd in 1943.

Highland Park 16 Year Old Magnus Label / Giaccone Whiskyteca Garten

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This is a fantastically rare exclusive bottling for Edoardo Giaccone. The distillery produced these in 16, 19 and 20 year old age statements for his bar, each bearing the classic St Magnus labels.

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.

This was imported for Giaccone by Highland Park's Italian distributor, Ferraretto, in the 1970s.

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.

Highland Park 1960 17 Year Old / Ferraretto

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This is one of a number of vintage bottlings produced by the distillery in the 1970s for the Italian importer, Ferraretto.

Highland Distillers bottled several Highland Park releases in this style, as well as some Tamdhu using a very similar aesthetic. This bottle shape would later become the hallmark of their new Bunnahabhain single malt brand.

Highland Park 1967 Celtic Heartlands 35 Year Old

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This is a 1967 vintage from the Celtic Heartlands series, a collaboration between independent bottler, Murray McDavid, and Jim McEwan, who at the time was the master distiller at their Bruichladdich distillery. Aged 35 years in an American oak cask.

Murray McDavid were founded in 1996 by Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin and ex-Springbank distillery Director, Gordon Wright. The company bought re-opened Bruichladdich distillery in December 2000, hiring Jim McEwan as Master Distiller. The company was purchased by Remy Cointreau in 2012, with the Murray McDavid brand eventually returning to Scottish hands the following year. Murray McDavid is famed for coining the term \"ACE-ing\" (additional cask enhancement) in relation to their cask finishing process, something they continue to use to great effect to this day.

Yamazaki Suntory White Whisky 1960s

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

This is a 1960s example of the classic Suntory White.

These bottles would have been produced using malt and grain distilled at Yamazaki distillery. Suntory's grain whisky production was moved to Chita distillery during their expansion in the 1980s.

Highland Park 19 Year Old 1979-1980 / Ferraretto

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This is a very old 1970s bottling of 20 year old Highland Park, produced for Italian importers, Ferraretto. Highland Distillers bottled several Highland Park releases in this style, as well as some Tamdhu using a very similar aesthetic. This bottle shape would later become the hallmark of their new Bunnahabhain single malt brand.

These bottling were produced with a neck tag stating the distillation and bottling year. The 19 year old appears to be an exception to this, but it is known they were bottled between 1979 and 1980.

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.

Highland Park 1974 Intertrade 13 Year Old Cask Strength

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, the owner of the Taverna degli Artisti bar in Rimini. The company was a collaboration with beer distributors, the Turatello Brothers, and the Intertrade name appears on Fiori's bottlings up to around 1989. Fiori selected his whiskies from the Gordon & MacPhail catalogue, but as a collector himself, and a contemporary of his fellow connoisseur countrymen, Silvano Samaroli and Ernesto Mainardi, he knew the importance striking label designs and requested many of his bottlings at cask strength. Whether under the Intertrade, Turatello or High Spirits banner, Fiori's bottlings are some of the most sought after on the market.

This Highland Park was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 1987 at cask strength.

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

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.

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. 

Yamazaki 18 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate, and with it being an area where three rivers converge. In its early days, Yamazaki produced both malt and grain for Suntory's blends, but the opening of the Chita distillery in 1972 allowed the company to focus on its single malt brand. It is now one of the world's most desirable. The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

The 18 year old was introduced to the core range in 1992. It is a vatting of 80% sherry butt matured whiskies, with the remainder from Japanese Mizunara and American oak.

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.

Highland Park 1968 Hart Brothers 27 Year Old

The Hart Brothers bottling company was founded in 1964 when Iain and Donald Hart incorporated as a wine and spirit merchant and Scotch whisky blenders. They have been bottling independent single malts since the 1980s.

This 1968 vintage Highland Park was bottled after 27 year in cask.

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

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.