The Perfect Collection Part Two

Royal Brackla 1924 60 Year Old

Founded in 1817, Brackla distillery was the first in Scotland to be granted a Royal Warrant, becoming Royal Brackla at the behest of King William IV in 1835. The distillery was primarily tasked with providing malt for blending, and became part of DCL (now Diageo) in 1943. It was one of the many distilleries that they were forced to close due to a production surplus in the 1980s however, mothballed between 1985 and 1991. Royal Brackla was sold along with the rest of those associated with the Dewar's brand to Bacardi in 1998. It was bottled by United Distillers as part of the Flora & Fauna range, within the Rare Malts Selection, but it was not until 1999 under Bacardi ownership it first would first appear under its own unique single malt brand. Even then, distribution was limited until it was eventually relaunched in 2014 as part of company’s Last Great Malts collection, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and The Deveron.

A real rarity, Royal Brackla was distilled in 1924 and bottled at an incredible 60 years old. At the time, the license for the distillery was held by John Bisset & Co who did not have a brand in place for the production of this release. Their blending and bottling operation had also been wound down, so DCL tasked one of the other companies within their stable, James Buchanan & Co, with the bottling of these. Originally, sixty decanters were filled to commemorate the 60th birthday of Emperor Hirohito of Japan, each of which were filled into crytal decanters featuing the branding of Buchanan's Black & White blend. Since they were never intended for public sale, the remaider of the whisky was hastily filled into their standard Black & White branded bottles.

Only 62 of this version were ever bottled, and they were given out as gifts to staff and local dignitaries upon the re-opening of the distillery in 1991.

Rosebank 1938 Robert Stewart and Son

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially selected by Diageo as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was launched in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future. 

To see vintages from this period is incredibly, rare, distilled in 1938 in the last year of production before the distillery's wartime hiatus. A founding member of DCL, the Rosebank remit was always for blending purposes, and distillery bottlings of its single malt were not produced until the 1980s. Fortunately, casks were also sold to third-party blenders, who on occasion felt the quality of them was sufficient that vatting them with other whiskies would be a dis-service. This was the case with Robert Stewart & Son, who bottled these 1938 vintages in the 1960s.

These were initially bottled with white foil capsules, however this bottle was resealed by Christie's auction house several years ago after the original was damaged.

Rosebank 34 Year Old George Strachan 1970s

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially selected by Diageo as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was launched in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future. 

This incredibly rare independent bottling was aged 34 years and bottled by George Strachan in the 1970s.

George Strachan was a delicatessen and general store founded in Deeside in 1926. They bottled some incredibly well regarded single malts between the 1960s and 1980s, many of which were sought out by Italian importers for their quality.

Rosebank 1974 Whyte and Whyte 18 Year Old 75cl / Spirits Library

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

This was bottled for Whyte and Whyte, a Chicago-based independent spirits distributor in the US. The company had a UK arm that sourced casks of single malt from a variety of specialist firms, including Signatory Vintage and Wm. Cadenhead. This bottle is part of a sought-after series the company imported for the Spirits Library, a Scotch and Cognac retailer in the US. Whyte and Whyte ceased trading in 1998, and these bottles are an increasing rarity.

Bowmore Islay Legend 30th Anniversary Scotch Whisky

Islay Legend was a generally 8 year old Bowmore-based blend, introduced in the early 1990s by Morrison Bowmore. It was highly regarded and produced mostly for export to the Europen markets.

This is one of just 25 bottles of a special 30 year old version, bottled in 1993 and given as gifts to guests of a dinner hosted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Stanley P. Morrison's acquisition of the distillery.

Rosebank 20 Year Old George Strachan 1970s

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially selected by Diageo as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was launched in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future. 

This incredibly rare independent bottling was aged 20 years and bottled by George Strachan in the 1970s.

George Strachan was a delicatessen and general store founded in Deeside in 1926. They bottled some incredibly well regarded single malts between the 1960s and 1980s, many of which were sought out by Italian importers for their quality.

Rosebank 1979 Rare Malts 20 Year Old / 60.3%

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

This Rosebank was distilled in 1979 and bottled 20 years later in October 1999. These Rare Malts Selection bottlings were the first by Diageo after its predecessor, United Distillers, had closed the distillery.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

Rosebank 1981 Flora and Fauna Cask Strength

Following on from the successful introduction of the Classic Malts range in 1988 (at the time only six expressions), United Distillers sought to build on this by releasing a further 22 single malts in 1991. These became affectionately known as the Flora & Fauna series, a term coined by whisky writer, Michael Jackson, in reference to their labels. The range showcased the lesser-seen distilleries from the company’s extensive portfolio at the time, with the intent of using collective branding to help them raise each other’s profiles. Despite four further additions in 2001, only a handful of these are still permanent distillery bottlings, making it a highly collectible series.

One of the nine rare Flora & Fauna releases bottled at cask strength, this Rosebank was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 1997.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future. 

Redbreast 12 Year Old Fitzgerald and Co

Redbreast is a single pot still whiskey, for which a combination of malted and un-malted barley are triple distilled in copper pot stills. The brand was created by W.A. Gilbey & Co, and bottled using whiskey sourced from Jameson's Bow Street distillery in Dublin. When Jameson amalgamated with Powers and Cork Distillers to form the Irish Distillers group, the Dublin distilleries were closed down, with all production moved to New Midleton distillery in Cork in 1975. Gilbey's discontinued the brand ten years later, but agreed to sell it to Irish Distillers who relaunched it in 1991.

This is a 1990s example of the Irish Distillers revival of the brand, bottled for Fitzgerald & Co.

North Port 1971 Rare Malts 23 Year Old 75cl / 54.7% - US Import

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.

The Brechin distillery was built in 1820 by the Guthrie family, who changed its named to North Port at some point later that century. It was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) in 1922, who closed it down six years later. Production briefly resumed for two years before the war, but it was not until 1945 that regular distilling recommenced. North Port was one of the nine distilleries closed by DCL in 1983 after a market downturn meant their blends were over-supplied. It never re-opened and the site now houses a supermarket. Its single malt is very rare, and was never officially bottled in its lifetime. Diageo have produced only a handful of distillery bottlings, the first of which were in the Rare Malts Selection.

Distilled in 1971, this was the first ever North Port distillery bottling and is one of three in the Rare Malts Selection.

Rosebank 1980 Cadenhead's 13 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 1980 vintage Rosebank, bottled for the US market in July 1993.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

Royal Brackla 1966 Cadenhead's 26 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 26 year old Royal Brackla is one of the original 150th anniversary releases.

Founded in 1817, Brackla distillery was the first in Scotland to be granted a Royal Warrant, becoming Royal Brackla at the behest of King William IV in 1835. The distillery was primarily tasked with providing malt for blending, and became part of DCL (now Diageo) in 1943. It was one of the many distilleries that they were forced to close due to a production surplus in the 1980s however, mothballed between 1985 and 1991. Royal Brackla was sold along with the rest of those associated with the Dewar's brand to Bacardi in 1998. Although Bacardi launched a single malt brand for the distillery in 1999, it was not widely distributed until it was repackaged as part of their Last Great Malts collection in 2014. Independent releases from all eras have become increasingly sought after.

Royal Brackla 10 Year Old Flora and Fauna

Following on from the successful introduction of the Classic Malts range in 1988 (at the time only six expressions), United Distillers sought to build on this by releasing a further 22 single malts in 1991. These became affectionately known as the Flora & Fauna series, a term coined by whisky writer, Michael Jackson, in reference to their labels. The range showcased the lesser-seen distilleries from the company’s extensive portfolio at the time, with the intent of using collective branding to help them raise each other’s profiles. Despite four further additions in 2001, only a handful of these are still permanent distillery bottlings, making it a highly collectible series.

Founded in 1817, Brackla distillery was the first in Scotland to be granted a Royal Warrant, becoming Royal Brackla at the behest of King William IV in 1835. The distillery was primarily tasked with providing malt for blending, and became part of DCL (now Diageo) in 1943. It was one of the many distilleries that they were forced to close due to a production surplus in the 1980s however, mothballed between 1985 and 1991. Royal Brackla was sold along with the rest of those associated with the Dewar's brand to Bacardi in 1998. As well as this Flora & Fauna release, it was also bottled by United Distillers within the Rare Malts Selection, but it did not have its own unique single malt brand until 1999. These releases from prior to this have become increasingly sought after.

One of the rarest releases from the Flora & Fauna series, the Royal Brackla 10 year old was only bottled until 1995.

Rosebank 1990 Signatory Vintage 9 Year Old 1.5 Litre / Millennium Edition

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 1990 vintage Rosebank, bottled from two casks in 1999 for the company's Millennium Edition series.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

This lot has a 2 bottle shipping fee.

Rosebank 12 Year Old Flora and Fauna

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.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers for their Lowland representative in the Classic Malts series when it was launched in 1988, but was substituted in favour of Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future. 

This release was a return for the previously discontinued 12 year old age-statement, after an 8 year old was preferred by DCL for their Ascot Malt Cellar range in 1982. This was the spiritual predecessor to the Classic Malts range, Rosebank's ommisssion from which was the end of its unique single malt brand. This brief return under the Flora & Fauna banner were the last distillery bottlings before its closure.

Royal Mackenzie circa 1920s-30s

An unusual old blended Scotch, produced by Mackenzie & Stewart around the 1920s or 1930s.

Royal Lochnagar 1973 Rare Malts 23 Year Old / 59.7%

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 1973 vintage Royal Lochnagar, bottled in April 1997.

Royal Lochnagar is so-called after it was bestowed with a Royal Warrant by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria following a visit in 1848. The popularity of the distillery’s Begg’s blend saw it acquired by John Dewar & Sons in 1916, who later became part of DCL, upping the demand for its whisky from other brands in their portfolio, including Johnnie Walker. Today it is part of Diageo, their smallest distillery by some margin, making the modest amount of its single malt spared for bottling increasingly sought after. 

Royal Lochnagar 1972 Rare Malts 24 Year Old 75cl / 55.7%

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 1972 vintage Royal Lochnagar, bottled in September 1997.

Royal Lochnagar is so-called after it was bestowed with a Royal Warrant by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria following a visit in 1848. The popularity of the distillery’s Begg’s blend saw it acquired by John Dewar & Sons in 1916, who later became part of DCL, upping the demand for its whisky from other brands in their portfolio, including Johnnie Walker. Today it is part of Diageo, their smallest distillery by some margin, making the modest amount of its single malt spared for bottling increasingly sought after. 

Inchgower 1977 Cadenhead's Single Cask #9718

Wm. Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, founded in 1842 by George Duncan. His brother William Cadenhead joined the company in 1952, taking over after George’s death in 1958. The company got into the whisky bottling business after 1904, when his nephew Robert Duthie took over, and since its sale to J&A Mitchell in 1972, Wm. Cadenhead has become on of the most sought after names in whisky. Its Authentic Collection is the flagship brand, but the portfolio of the company has expanded in recent years with labels like this.

This is part of a rare selection of cask strength, single cask releases from the 1990s, bottled with these iconic white labels. This is a 1977 vintage Inchgower, drawn from cask #9718.

Inchgower was built in 1871 by Alexander Wilson, using equipment rescued from the disused Tochineal distillery nearby. When his family went bankrupt, the distillery was bought by the town council, who sold it to Arthur Bell in 1937. As you would expect, it has been a key constituent in the Bell's blend ever since. As with Blair Athol and Dufftown, Arthur Bell & Sons took an early interest in bottling its single malt, with official releases appearing from the 1970s. These disappeared when Guinness bought Bell's in 1985 however, and it was not until United Distillers launched the Flora & Fauna brand in 1991 that the former Bell's stable would receive distillery bottlings again. Nowadays important to the Johnnie Walker blend too, other official releases of Inchgower are rare, and it is with independent releases like this where it enjoys the prominence it deserves.

Rosebank 1989 Cadenhead's 8 Year Old 75cl / 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 1989 vintage Rosebank, bottled for the US market in June 1997.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

Inverleven 1969 Cadenhead's 27 Year Old

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

This is a 1969 vintage Inverleven single malt, bottled in September 1996.

Inverleven was a single malt distillery located within the Dumbarton grain complex. Dumbarton had been built by Canadian giants, Hiram Walker, in 1936 in order to provide whisky for its newly acquired Ballantine's brand. The distillery consisted of two copper pot stills and, later, a lomond still which was actually considered to be a seperate distillery, simply called Lomond. The latter was decommissioned in 1985, with Inverleven following suit in 1991 and the wider Dumbarton complex in 2002. The whole site has now been demolished. Inverleven's legacy lives on however, most prominently in its still set. The Lomond still now produces The Botanist gin at Bruichladdich, and the spirit and wash stills are now in situ at Waterford distillery in Ireland. Its legacy is less prominent in its output, with most of its whisky reserved for blends. Occasional distillery bottlings were produced, but the majority are rare independent releases like this.

Rosebank 1989 Cadenhead's 8 Year Old 75cl / 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 1989 vintage Rosebank was bottled for the US market in June 1997.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially selected by Diageo as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was launched in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

Rosebank 1989 Blackadder 11 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Blackadder International were founded in 1995 by whisky writers, Robin Tucek and John Lamond, authors of the 1987 publication, The Malt Whisky File: The Essential Guide for the Malt Whisky Connoisseur. The company has gained great affection from whisky enthusiasts for its Raw Cask series, which is deliberately drawn un-filtered from the cask so as to retain all cask sediment along with any natural oils and fats. The company is credited with a key role in the popularisation of cask strength whiskies since its inception.

This is a 1989 vintage Rosebank, drawn from a single cask in September 2000.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

Rosebank 1989 Signatory Vintage 10 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially selected by Diageo as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was launched in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future. 

This is an independent bottling from Signatory Vintage, distilled in 1989 and bottled in 1999.

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.

Rosebank 1989 Signatory Vintage 10 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 1989 vintage Rosebank, drawn from a single cask in May 1999.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

Roghainn Nam Fear Eolais 1963 Single Grain

This is a mystery single grain Scotch whisky, bottled by what looks like Signatory Vintage for the Victoria Wine Co. in London.

It was distilled in 14th August 1963 and filled into cask numbers #1214 and #1217.

North of Scotland 1963 Scott's Selection 75cl / US Import

The Scott's Selection range was launched in the 1990s and was originally bottled from casks hand-selected by former Speyside distillery Master Distiller, Robert Scott. They are always filled un-chillfiltered and at a natural cask strength.

This is a 1964 vintage single grain from Scott's former employer, North of Scotland distillery.

North of Scotland began production in 1958, and was the first venture from George P. Christie, who later opened the Speyside distillery as well. North of Scotland originally distilled malt whisky as well, known as Strathmore, but its pot still were removed after just one year to focus on its grain production. Sadly the distillery was short-lived, shut down by Christie in 1980 in anticipation of the era of oversupply, also referred to as the \"whisky loch.\" The site was sold to DCL in 1982 and is nowadays used as a bond and warehousing operation by Diageo. Primarily tasked with provision for blends, there are very few releases of North of Scotland grain. An official 50 year old was bottled in 2017 in partnership with Elixir Distillers, but the majority of independent bottlings are from independent labels like this.

Imperial 1976 Milroys 20 Year Old

Built in the last years on the 19th century, Imperial is a distillery with a sadly chequered history, spending almost as much time in mothballs as it did distilling. Its longest period of production came between 1955 and 1985 under the ownership of DCL (now Diageo). Allied Distillers bought it in 1989, opening it again two years later, but only for another seven. It was under their tenure that the only distillery bottling of its single malt appeared, but thankfully a number of increasingly sought after independent releases like this have been produced over the years. Imperial was demolished in 2013 and the site now houses the new distillery, Dalmunach. 

This is a 1976 vintage, bottled by Milroys of Soho in 1997.

Milroys of Soho is a legendary bottle shop located on Greek Street in London. The store was foundered by John & Mary Milroy in 1964, but it was not until John's brother Wallace joined the company four years later that their focus on whisky was to catch up with their interest in wine. In that year alone, their single malt catalogue increased from just three to well over 30. Their dedication to this unfashionable style of whisky (at the time) continues to be rewarded today, with the Greek Street store still a cornerstone of London's whisky world.

Rosebank 1989 Douglas Laing 10 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 is a 1989 vintage Rosebank, bottled in Septembr 1999.

Rosebank is a much-sought after Lowland single malt. The distillery was initially shortlisted by United Distillers as their Lowland entry to the Classic Malts series when it was slated for launch in 1988, but was eventually substituted for Glenkinchie on the belief that it provided better opportunities for tourism. Rosebank was then shut down in 1993, but has recently been acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have a view to resurrecting this classic lost distillery in the near future.

Royal Brackla 1924 60 Year Old Miniature

Founded in 1817, Brackla distillery was the first in Scotland to be granted a Royal Warrant, becoming Royal Brackla at the behest of King William IV in 1835. The distillery was primarily tasked with providing malt for blending, and became part of DCL (now Diageo) in 1943. It was one of the many distilleries that they were forced to close due to a production surplus in the 1980s however, mothballed between 1985 and 1991. Royal Brackla was sold along with the rest of those associated with the Dewar's brand to Bacardi in 1998. It was bottled by United Distillers as part of the Flora & Fauna range, within the Rare Malts Selection, but it was not until 1999 under Bacardi ownership it first would first appear under its own unique single malt brand. Even then, distribution was limited until it was eventually relaunched in 2014 as part of company’s Last Great Malts collection, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and The Deveron.

A real rarity, Royal Brackla was distilled in 1924 and bottled at an incredible 60 years old. At the time, the license for the distillery was held by John Bisset & Co who did not have a brand in place for the production of this release. Their blending and bottling operation had also been wound down, so DCL tasked one of the other companies within their stable, James Buchanan & Co, with the bottling of these. Originally, sixty decanters were filled to commemorate the 60th birthday of Emperor Hirohito of Japan, each of which were filled into crytal decanters featuing the branding of Buchanan's Black & White blend. Since they were never intended for public sale, the remaider of the whisky was hastily filled into their standard Black & White branded bottles.

Only 62 full size versions in the Black & White bottles were produced and given out as gifts to staff and local dignitaries upon the re-opening of the distillery in 1991. These miniatures were gifted to the distillery staff.

North Port 1982 Blackadder 13 Year Old Natural Strength

Blackadder International were founded in 1995 by whisky writers, Robin Tucek and John Lamond, authors of the 1987 publication, The Malt Whisky File: The Essential Guide for the Malt Whisky Connoisseur. The company has gained great affection from whisky enthusiasts for its Raw Cask series, which is deliberately drawn un-filtered from the cask so as to retain all cask sediment along with any natural oils and fats. The company is credited with a key role in the popularisation of cask strength whiskies since its inception.

This is a 1982 vintage North Port, bottled as natural strength in May 1996.

The Brechin distillery was built in 1820 by the Guthrie family, who changed its named to North Port at some point later that century. It was acquired by DCL (now Diageo) in 1922, who closed it down six years later. Production briefly resumed for two years before the war, but it was not until 1945 that regular distilling recommenced. North Port was one of the nine distilleries closed by DCL in 1983 after a market downturn meant their blends were over-supplied. It never re-opened and the site now houses a supermarket. Its single malt is very rare, and was never officially bottled in its lifetime. Diageo have produced only a handful of distillery bottlings, the first of which were in the Rare Malts Selection. Rare and increasingly sought after independent releases like this have also appeared over the years though. 

Imperial 1979 Gordon and MacPhail

Built in the last years on the 19th century, Imperial is a distillery with a sadly chequered history, spending almost as much time in mothballs as it did distilling. Its longest period of production came between 1955 and 1985 under the ownership of DCL (now Diageo). Allied Distillers bought it in 1989, opening it again two years later, but only for another seven. It was under their tenure that the only distillery bottling of its single malt appeared, but thankfully a number of increasingly sought after independent releases like this have been produced over the years. Imperial was demolished in 2013 and the site now houses the new distillery, Dalmunach. 

This 1979 vintage is a Gordon & MacPhial bottling from 1995.

When Gordon & MacPhail were producing official bottlings under license in the 1970s, each distillery was labelled using a specific branding determined by their parent companies, such as DCL, Hiram Walker or Highland Distillers. By the 1980s, single malts were increasing in popularity and Gordon & MacPhail began to create a “house label” for every distillery, each with its own unique style, as is presented here. Although no longer the licensees, Gordon & MacPhail still produce bottles like this for many distilleries today, renamed in 2018 as their Distillery Labels range.