The Perfect Collection Part Two

Bruichladdich 1965 15 Year Old Royal Wedding 1981 Decanter / Moon Import

Moon Import was founded by Pepi Mongiardino in 1980 and he bottled his first whisky in 1982. Always beautifully labelled, Pepi is acclaimed for designing the packaging for Moon Import bottles himself, often using images found in old books. These iconic designs, coupled with the quality of the liquid saw Moon Import steadily grow in popularity. The company is still going strong, and their early releases are some of the brightest gems in any whisky collection.

This was officially bottled, exclusively for Mongiardino. He became the Bruichladdich distributor in the early 1980s, and imported their whisky for 5 years before selling the contract to Rinaldi.

Mongiardino bottled outside of the standard 10, 15 and 17 year old Bruichladdich, such as with this sherry wood matured, cask strength version of their 15 year old expression.

Bottled in a commemorative decanter in 1981, to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer.

Like its island neighbour Bunnahabhain distillery, Bruichladdich has traditionally been an un-peated single malt, mostly owing to its requirements by the blenders who owned it. The last of these was Whyte & Mackay, who eventually shut it down in 1995, deeming it surplus to requirements. They sold the distillery to Murray McDavid in 2001, who launched the peated Port Charlotte and heavily-peated Octomore single malts in 2006 and 2008. A recommissioned Lomond still also now produces the popular Botanist gin there.

Glen Moray 1963 25 Year Old / All Nippon Airways

A lovely old Glen Moray, distilled in 1962 while the distillery was operated by MacDonald & Muir, and undertook its own in-house malting using a Saladin box. The distillery's maltings were decommissioned in 1978, and the Glenmorangie company (the new face of MacDonald & Maur) relegated Glen Moray to its budget single malt in the 1990s, a reputation it is now beginning to recover from under new ownership.

The old 1960s vintages however, have always been regarded as exceptional single malts.

This particular release was an exclusive for All Nippon Airways, who also had a number of excellent Glendronach single casks produced for them around this period.

Glenlivet 1976 Signatory Vintage 24 Year Old 75cl / US Import

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.

This is a 1976 vintage Glenlivet, bottled from a single sherry butt in May 2000. 

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

Glenrothes 1961 Gordon and MacPhail Rare Old

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

Highland Distillers licensed the Glenrothes single malt brand to Gordon & MacPhail to produce official releases in the 1970s and 1980s, not having the capacity to do so itself at the time. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

This is a 1961 vintage from Gordon & MacPhail, bottled in 2000.

Discontinued in the spring of 2018 and replaced with the decadently revamped Private Collection range, Rare Old was the former premium range from Gordon & MacPhail. It was intended to showcase Scotland's legendary closed distilleries, as well as some of their oldest and finest stocks from those still in operation.

Bowmore De Luxe 1970s / Fecchio & Frassa Import

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1993. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year after (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements.

This is an older release of this core range non-age statement bottling from the legendary Islay distillery. These were bottled from around 1979 (this label was introduced to coincide with the distillery bicentenary) up until 1988 when the distillery's single malt brand was relaunched with a new core range.

Imported to Italy.

Bowmore European Fly Fishing Championships 2003

Islay’s oldest working distillery, Bowmore was established in 1779 and is now regarded as one of the most popular malts not only on Islay, but in the whole of Scotland. The distillery was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison in 1963, ushering in an era of iconic single malts, including the legendary Black Bowmore, credited by many as the genesis of whisky collecting, bottled in 1993. The distillery was bought under the control Suntory the year after (they had been stakeholders since 1989), and it remains one of the most collectible brands in Scotch whisky today. Bowmore is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries to use its own floor maltings, providing them with 40% of their requirements.

This is a very limited bottle of Bowmore that was released for the European Fly Fishing Championships on Islay in 2003.

Glenrothes 1961 Gordon and MacPhail Rare Old

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

Highland Distillers licensed the Glenrothes single malt brand to Gordon & MacPhail to produce official releases in the 1970s and 1980s, not having the capacity to do so itself at the time. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

This 1961 vintage was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2000.

Discontinued in the spring of 2018 and replaced with the decadently revamped Private Collection range, Rare Old was the former premium range from Gordon & MacPhail. It was intended to showcase Scotland's legendary closed distilleries, as well as some of their oldest and finest stocks from those still in operation.

Glen Avon 1953 Gordon and MacPhail

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

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

The liquid in this particular bottle was distilled in 1953.

Banff 1966 Douglas Laing 36 Year Old

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 Banff was distilled back in 1966 and bottled in August 1998.

A distillery almost as synonymous with fire as it is with whisky, Banff experienced four separate blazes during its chequered history, including a bombing by the Luftwaffe in 1941. The distillery operated until 1983 when it was closed by DCL (now Diageo) after a downturn in the market lead to an oversupply. Unsurprisingly, it caught fire in the process of being dismantled and has never re-opened. Its malt was predominantly reserved for blending in its time, but it has contributed to some particularly sought after independent releases over the years. 

Brora 1981 Douglas Laing 18 Year Old

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.

A bottling of Brora, this was distilled in June 1981 and bottled in October 1999.

Brora distillery, formerly known as Clynelish was initially closed after a new distillery was built next-door in 1967, and assumed the Clynelish name. The original distillery re-opened after a year's hiatus, and bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. Official bottlings of Brora did not appear until the 1990s, long after its closure, but independent bottlings like this were produced from the late 1980s.

Brora 1981 Douglas Laing 18 Year Old

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.

A bottling of Brora, this was distilled in June 1981 and bottled in October 1999.

Brora distillery, formerly known as Clynelish was initially closed after a new distillery was built next-door in 1967, and assumed the Clynelish name. The original distillery re-opened after a year's hiatus, and bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. Official bottlings of Brora did not appear until the 1990s, long after its closure, but independent bottlings like this were produced from the late 1980s.

Glenesk-Hillside 1970 Rare Malts 25 Year Old / 60.10%

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 is a Hillside single malt, distilled in 1970 and bottled at 25 years of age.

Known as Glenesk from 1980-85, and prior to that as Hillside since 1964, this distillery produced both malt and grain at different stages in its history. It is not often seen officially bottled, but has contributed to several Rare Malt releases. Distilling ceased there entirely in 1985, and the site operates exclusively as a maltings now.

Ben Nevis 1971 Single Cask 26 Year Old #4248 75cl / US Import

Ben Nevis distillery was built by \"Long\" John MacDonald in 1825, and was so popular by the end of the 19th century that at one point the estate employed over 200 people. After a series of closure and re-openings at the beginning of the 20th, it was eventually bought by former Canadian bootlegger, Joseph Hobbs. He installed a coffey still there in 1955, making Ben Nevis Scotland's first dual-operation distillery, and began to blend its malt and grain before filling it to cask. Sporadic closures again followed Hobb's death, with stability finally ensured in 1989 when it was bought by long-term customers, Nikka Whisky of Japan. Its turbulent history means there were few distillery bottlings until the launch of this 10 year old single malt in 1996.

This single cask release appeared the following year. A 1971 vintage, cask #4248 was bottled for the US market.

Brora 1983 Signatory Vintage 18 Year Old 50cl / LMDW

A Straight from the Cask series bottling by Signatory Vintage, specially selected by La Maison du Whisky in Paris.

Brora distillery, formerly known as Clynelish was initially closed after a new distillery was built next-door in 1967, and assumed the Clynelish name. The original distillery re-opened after a year's hiatus, and bottlings of the whisky it produced between then and its second closure in 1983 are now increasingly sought after. Official bottlings of Brora did not appear until the 1990s, long after its closure, but independent bottlings like this were produced from the late 1980s.

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.

Glen Moray 1960 26 Year Old

A lovely old Glen Moray, distilled in 1962 while the distillery was operated by MacDonald & Muir, and undertook its own in-house malting using a Saladin box. The distillery's maltings were decommissioned in 1978, and the Glenmorangie company (the new face of MacDonald & Maur) relegated Glen Moray to its budget single malt in the 1990s, a reputation it is now beginning to recover from under new ownership.

The old 1960s vintages however, have always been regarded as exceptional single malts.

Ben Nevis 1968 Mackillop's Choice 75cl / US Import

Mackillop's Choice is a range of independent bottlings from Iain Mackillop & Co, a subsidiary of Angus Dundee, the blending company from London who now also own Glencadam and Tomintoul distilleries. Angus Dundee also produces the sister label, Mackullick's Choice for the French market, and the Montgomerie's brand.

This is a single malt whisky from Ben Nevis, distilled in 1968 and bottled from a single cask.

Ben Nevis distillery was built by \"Long\" John MacDonald in 1825, and was so popular by the end of the 19th century that at one point the estate employed over 200 people. After a series of closure and re-openings at the beginning of the 20th, it was eventually bought by former Canadian bootlegger, Joseph Hobbs. He installed a coffey still there in 1955, making Ben Nevis Scotland's first dual-operation distillery, and began to blend its malt and grain before filling it to cask. Sporadic closures again followed Hobb's death, with stability finally ensured in 1989 when it was bought by long-term customers, Nikka Whisky of Japan. Its turbulent history means there were few distillery bottlings until the launch of the 10 year old single malt in 1996, but casks had long been making their way to independent labels, and many of them are very highly praised. 

Bruichladdich 1968 Cadenhead's 25 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 Bruichladdich was distilled in May 1968 and bottled in January 1993 for the US market.

Like its island neighbour Bunnahabhain distillery, Bruichladdich has traditionally been an un-peated single malt, mostly owing to its requirements by the blenders who owned it. The last of these was Whyte and Mackay, who eventually shut it down in 1995, deeming it surplus to requirements. They sold the distillery to Murray McDavid in 2001, who launched the peated Port Charlotte and heavily-peated Octomore single malts in 2006 and 2008. A recommissioned Lomond still also now produces the popular Botanist gin there. 

Glenugie 1978 Cadenhead's 13 Year Old 75cl / 150th Anniversary

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 13 year old Glenugie is one of the original 150th anniversary releases.

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

Ben Nevis 1972 Single Cask 21 Year Old 75cl

Ben Nevis distillery was built by \"Long\" John MacDonald in 1825, and was so popular by the end of the 19th century that at one point the estate employed over 200 people. After a series of closure and re-openings at the beginning of the 20th, it was eventually bought by former Canadian bootlegger, Joseph Hobbs. He installed a coffey still there in 1955, making Ben Nevis Scotland's first dual-operation distillery, and began to blend its malt and grain before filling it to cask. Sporadic closures again followed Hobb's death, with stability finally ensured in 1989 when it was bought by long-term customers, Nikka Whisky of Japan. Its turbulent history means there were few distillery bottlings until the launch of this 10 year old single malt in 1996.

This vintage 21 year old is one of them however, and was bottled from a single cask, distilled in 1972. 

Benrinnes 1971 Cadenhead's 18 Year Old 75cl

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 18 year old Benrinnes was bottled in January 1991 and actually slightly predates the the original 150th anniversary releases.

Until 2007, Benrinnes had a unique triple distillation process that resulted in a single malt highly prized by blenders for its distinct \"meaty\" quality. So much so in fact, that none was spared for an official distillery bottling until Diageo opted to continue production of the 15 year old Flora & Fauna as a permanent release. Thankfully, the distillery has always featured in the catalogues of independent bottlers, giving ample opportunity to experience this sought after single malt.

Glenlochy 1970 Signatory Vintage 29 Year Old Silent Stills 75cl / US Import

A rising demand for imported Scotch 1930s America saw Glenlochy acquired and re-opened after many years of closure, by National Distillers in 1937. National Distillers were one of the \"big 4\" American distilling companies to emerge after the repeal of Prohibition, but they were hit hard by the secodn world war, eventually selling off their assets in the Scottish whisky industry. Glenlochy was purchased by DCL (now Diageo) in 1954, who ran it for two briefs stints to provide malt for their blends, but closed it for good, like many others, in 1983. Glenlochy is extremely rarely seen as a single malt, and no official bottlings were produced in its lifetime. The Rare Malt Selections are the only distillery bottlings produced by Diageo, and examples from the independent labels are increasingly sought after. 

Distilled on 30th October 1970, this was bottled within Signatory Vintage's Silent Stills range, which at the time showcased Scotland's finest discontinued single malts (some, such as Glenglassaugh, have since returned).

Bottled on 15th August 2000, cask #3359 yielded just 248 bottles.

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.

Glen Garioch 1970 Cooper's Choice 25 Year Old 75cl / US Import

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

A 1970 vintage bottling, this is part of the premium Cooper's Choice series from The Vintage Malt Whisky Co.

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

Glenlivet 25 Year Old Royal Wedding Reserve 1981

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

There were many whiskies bottled to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana in 1981, but few are as sought after nowaways as this. At 25 years old, this liquid would have been distilled back in the 1950s. 

Glenglassaugh 13 Year Old Cadenhead's early 1990s / US Import

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 13 year old Glenglassaugh, and from one of the final batches of the dumpy bottlings before the introduction of the Original and Authentic Collection ranges.

Situated just north of the Speyside region border, Glenglassaugh is an interesting single malt. So interesting in fact, that it proved difficult for blenders to marry with other whiskies, and it closed down in 1986, deemed surplus to requirements in the era of oversupply in the whisky industry. With the evolution of the single malt market in the years that followed, the distillery made a surprise comeback in 2008 when it was revived by a group of private investors. It then found its feet as part of the Benriach Distillery Company, and is now part of the Brown-Forman stable. Releases from both sides of its 22 year hiatus are very well regarded.

Glendullan 1973 Rare Malts 23 Year Old 75cl / 58.6%

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.

One of the rarer Glendullan, this 23 year old was distilled in 1973.

Glendullan became part of DCL (now Diageo) in 1925, and continues to be an important producer for their blends to this day. Production there was increased in 1972 following the opening of \"Glendullan 2\" next-door. Both sites ran simultaneously until 1985 when the original plant was closed, and Glendullan 2 became simply, Glendullan. The key outcome of this was that more spirit could be reserved for bottling as a single malt, with a 12 year old distillery bottling appearing in the 1970s. Several Rare Malts Selections and a Flora & Fauna release increased its presence in the 1990s, before the distillery became the US exclusive side of The Singleton banner in 2007.

Glen Mhor 1963 Sestante 25 Year Old Decanter

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.

Mainardi was a former employee of Co. Import, Pinerolo, and was inspired to bottle these crystal decanters based on similar bottlings of Macallan that they had produced. The Sestante decanters were Edinburgh crystal, and Mainardi estimates he produced around 3500 of these over the years.

This is a 25 year old Glen Mhor, distilled in 1963.

Glen Mhor was one of three distilleries based in Inverness along with Millburn and Glen Albyn, all of which closed within two years of each other. Glen Mhor was one of the earlier, in 1983, and it was demolished just three years later. A historically significant malt, this was just a small two still operation, but was bottled both as a single malt in the late 19th and early 20th century, as well as making its way into high profile blends such as the one discovered in ice under Ernest Shackleton's hut. The owners for the majority of its history were Charles Mackinlay & Co, who produced several official releases for the emerging Italian single malt market in the late 1960s, but this stopped when DCL took over 1972. They licensed the brand to Gordon & MacPhail until its closure, and Diageo later included it in the Rare Malts Selection series, all of which remain rare and increasingly sought after. Bottlings from independent labels like this are equally so.

Balmenach 1961 Cadenhead's 24 Year Old 75cl / US Import

The Original Collection was launched by Wm. Cadenhead in the early 1990s, and was the natural successor to replace their famous \"dumpy\" bottlings. They were generally produced at 46% ABV or lower, but eventually their cask strength alternative, The Authentic Collection, was preferred as the flagship Cadenhead brand. Having disappeared for many years, the label was revived in 2020 and the early releases have become increasingly sought-after rarities.

Originally one of the sought-after dumpy bottlings in 1986, this is a rare Balmenach, distilled in 1961 and rebottled in the 1990s for the US market.

Balmenach is a rarely seen single malt distillery in Speyside. It was built in the early 19th century and for the majority of the 20th it was owned by DCL (now Diageo). Its distinctive style made it highly prized by blenders, and little of it was spared for official distillery bottlings, or independents for that matter. The distillery was closed in 1993 during the Scotch market downturn, but was revived in 1997 by Inver House who purchased it and resumed production. The focus today is still on provision for blends, and Inver House are yet to release a distillery bottling. It is however the source of the popular Carounn gin. 

Glenrothes 1961 Gordon and MacPhail Rare Old

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

Highland Distillers licensed the Glenrothes single malt brand to Gordon & MacPhail to produce official releases in the 1970s and 1980s, not having the capacity to do so itself at the time. This good standing with the distillery furnished the Elgin-based independent firm with a steady supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high-quality releases.

Distilled in 1961 and bottled in 2000, we rarely see independent bottlings from this distillery carrying an age as impressive as this.

Discontinued in the spring of 2018 and replaced with the decadently revamped Private Collection range, Rare Old was the former premium range from Gordon & MacPhail. It was intended to showcase Scotland's legendary closed distilleries, as well as some of their oldest and finest stocks from those still in operation.

Glen Moray 1964 27 Year Old

A lovely old Glen Moray, distilled in 1962 while the distillery was operated by MacDonald & Muir, and undertook its own in-house malting using a Saladin box. The distillery's maltings were decommissioned in 1978, and the Glenmorangie company (the new face of MacDonald & Mair) relegated Glen Moray to its budget single malt in the 1990s, a reputation it is now beginning to recover from under new ownership.

These old 1960s vintages however, have always been regarded as exceptional single malts.

Glen Moray 1962 24 Year Old​

A lovely old Glen Moray, distilled in 1962 while the distillery was operated by MacDonald & Muir, and undertook its own in-house malting using a Saladin box. The distillery's maltings were decommissioned in 1978, and the Glenmorangie company (the new face of MacDonald & Maur) relegated Glen Moray to its budget single malt in the 1990s, a reputation it is now beginning to recover from under new ownership.

The old 1960s vintages however, have always been regarded as exceptional single malts.

Bruichladdich 1969 Gordon and MacPhail Cask Strength

Like its island neighbour Bunnahabhain distillery, Bruichladdich has traditionally been an un-peated single malt, mostly owing to its requirements by the blenders who owned it. The last of these was Whyte and Mackay, who eventually shut it down in 1995, deeming it surplus to requirements. They sold the distillery to Murray McDavid in 2001, who launched the peated Port Charlotte and heavily-peated Octomore single malts in 2006 and 2008. A recommissioned Lomond still also now produces the popular Botanist gin there. 

This is a Gordon & MacPhail bottling, distilled in 1969.

This is part of the Cask Strength range, a more recent version of the Original 'Cask' series, which represented Gordon & MacPhail’s first foray into natural strength bottlings in order to keep up with the market trend in preference for these in the late 1980s.

Glen Moray 1962 24 Year Old​

A lovely old Glen Moray, distilled in 1962 while the distillery was operated by MacDonald & Muir, and undertook its own in-house malting using a Saladin box. The distillery's maltings were decommissioned in 1978, and the Glenmorangie company (the new face of MacDonald & Maur) relegated Glen Moray to its budget single malt in the 1990s, a reputation it is now beginning to recover from under new ownership.

The old 1960s vintages however, have always been regarded as exceptional single malts.