For the avid whisky enthusiast visiting Scotland is a must to discover some of the finest whisky bars which can serve samples some of the most stunning drams. Scotland’s whisky collection is frankly extensive as there are numerous rare whiskies all over Scotland which date back as far as the 1940s. These include many from Campbeltown, Islay, Speyside, the Highlands and beyond. However the ones which are almost impossible to find are those which are sealed in vaults. For the true whisky connoisseur the following are some which should be payed high attention to.
1. SPRINGBANK 21 YEAR SINGLE CASK 2017 RELEASE
This whisky can be obtained in the distant southwest of Scotland and is a classic yet understated Springbank. It is launched annually and is something which all whisky admirers attempt to look for. It has been explained as having muted peat smoke, maritime oiliness with a lavish waxy feel in the mouth.
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2. CONVALMORE 1975 GORDON & MACPHAIL
The Convalmore Victorian Distillery was known for providing a predominantly waxy whisky with an extra fruity twist. This specific bottle represents a flawlessly aged Speyside single malt with a rich taste of honeycomb, superbly merged dried pineapple with the addition of piquant ginger. Following its shutdown back in 1990, experiencing Convalmore is one which should not be turned down. It is presently owned by Diageo who are still bottling the single malt as part of their ‘Special Releases’ and is also available from Gordon & Macphail as part of their ‘Rare Old’ contributions.
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3. MORTLACH 1951 PRIVATE COLLECTION ULTRA
This specific bottle is a part of the ‘Private Collection Ultra’ collection by Gordon & Macphail, a series of four whiskies that were selected by four different branches of the Urquhart family. This single malt was chosen by David Urquhart and his sons Stuart and Richard. It is is the second oldest Mortlach ever released as it was nurtured for 63 years – after Gordon and Macpahil’s own 70 year old. It is described as a luxurious whisky which is dry and spicy with a hint of smoke.
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4. GLENLIVET 1952 PRIVATE COLLECTION ULTRA
This is the second installment of the ‘Private Collection Ultra’ series by Gordon and Macphail and is from the renowned Glenlivet distillery. In comparison to the Mortlach mentioned previously it is much softer and has a noticeable freshness even after being nurtured for 62 years in oak. It is known to have all the classic sherries whisky flavours with soft citrus fruits with intricate baking spices.
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5. LINKWOOD 1953 PRIVATE COLLECTION ULTRA
This is the oldest bottled example whisky from the Linkwood distillery and is now been casked for 61 years. The distillery was set up to create a light yet grassy spirit which was mainly used in premium blended Scotch Whiskies. It is explained as having marzipan and almond flavours which is also thick. This is also a member of the Gordon and Macphail ‘Private Collection Ultra’ and is a Speyside treasure.
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6. STRATHISLA 1957 PRIVATE COLLECTION ULTRA
This specific bottle is the one to complete the ‘Private Collection Ultra’ by Gordon and Macphail. Strathisla is known to be the oldest distillery in the Scottish Highlands with this being the oldest ever bottling from the distillery. Strathisla has been described as one of the most beautiful distillery in the world which is also steeped in history. This is dark and rich in both colour and flavour, with an umami character well-integrated with the oaky notes. It is available at only two bars in the world, one being at the famous Balmoral hotel in Scotland.
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7. TORMORE 1998 CONNOISSEURS CHOICE
The Tormore distillery is known for its church-like appearance and was one of the first new distilleries to appear during the post – World War II Scotch boom. This particular bottle comes from Gordon and MacPhail’s Connoisseurs Choice label. It was distilled back in 1998 and set aside to mature until 2015. With it being matured in white oak, its taste with fresh lime and a fresh mint edge which develops.
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8. AILSA BAY
This was first released in 2016 and is a relative newcomer in the world of whisky. It is unique and different to any of the other Lowland whisky which tends to be more delicate and floral. The Ailsa Bay is described to me more similar to the Island whiskies with its heavily-peated style. It is a well balanced single malt with tastes of sweet stewed fruit and scented smoke.
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9. BENROMACH 35 YEAR
This is a limited release from Benromach distillery, one of the smallest working distillery in Speyside, and this whisky was distilled in the early 1980s. It was matured in first-fill sherry casks and was then released in two tranches in 2016. It has been described as having notes of honey, chocolate, menthol and clove.
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10. GLENFIDDICH 1977 SINGLE CASK
This certain bottle is from the impressive Rare Collection and is a 39 year-old single malt which was distilled all the way back in 1977. Glenfiddich is the Scottish distillery that introduced the world to single malt whisky in 1963. The taste is intense and sways between oak and sweet, fruity and spice. Since removal from the cask only 166 bottles released to the world.
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11. BOWMORE 26 YEAR VINTNER’S TRILOGY
This is the second in Bowmore’s Vintner’s Trilogy, this 26-year-old single malt has been unusually aged in both bourbon barrels and wine barriques. This Bowmore is from Islay’s oldest distillery. The result is a dram with notes of oak-spiced smoke, salty dark chocolate and tropical fruits.
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12. LONGMORN 1967 GORDON & MACPHAIL
Another incredibly priced retro-labeled old Longmorn bottled by Gordon & Macphail from their scarily well stocked warehouses. This one was distilled in 1967 and was bottled at around 49 years old. It has been described as unexpectedly soft with a slight hint of peach and roasted almonds. This is Speyside whisky at its best with both style and complexity in abundance.
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13. BRUICHLADDICH BLACK ART 1990 24 YEAR
The recipe to this whisky is a mystery to everyone but its creator and is still a cryptic enigma. Bruichladdich is known as one of the most progressive distilleries in Scotland and that is down to Jim McEwan’s practices when being in charge. This particular bottle was one of the last which McEwan worked on before retirement. This whisky is both rich and dark with dried fruit and cinder toffee.
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14. GLENCADAM 17 YEAR PORT WOOD
This unique limited edition released from Glencadam was ages in ex-bourbon casks and was then finished in a trio of ex-port hogheads for the last few years. Over 30 years ago there would have been at least 8 distilleries on the east coast between Aberdeen and Dundee. Currently there is now only two, one being Glencadam. Malted barley, fresh local spring water and yeast are used to make their whisky. It is sweet with notes of summer fruits, vanilla and toffee.
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15. PORT ELLEN 17TH RELEASE 1979
This was the 17th released from Port Ellen and is another spectacular dram. It is situated at the Southern Shore of the Herbridean Isle of Islay and was closed back in 1983, it has yet to reopen. A bottle is released every year by the owners, Diageo, and is widely popular by whisky plans. This offers light, sweet fruit notes which gradually evolve into oakier and smokier characteristics.
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16. LEDAIG 18 YEAR OLOROSO FINISH
This is the famous pleated 18 year old whisky from Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull. It is known to be one of the oldest and trickiest to get to because of its location. This particular single malt was aged in Oloroso Sherry casks and the whisky itself is rich and fruity with notes of smoke and a maritime character.
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17. WILLIAM GRANT AND SONS GHOSTED RESERVE 21 YEAR
This particular one is rather different to the previous ones mentioned as it is a combination of blended Scotch. It represents the peak of blending creativeness and truly shows the skin of the malt master Brian Kinsman. He used a mixture of whiskies from 3 closed distilleries and is described as fresh and soft.
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