We just lately showcased a choice of the oldest and rarest whiskies released in 2024. However some manufacturers have just lately stepped up one other stage and launched their oldest-ever bottlings. That is no imply feat given the trendy whisky market, and these super-rare whiskies have captured the eye of drinkers and collectors across the globe.
Some are from conventional distilleries and a long time outdated, making them ultra-premium (learn: costly). Others supply essentially the most developed style but from newer craft and artisanal producers.
It’s time to have a look at a few of these collectable whisky gems from Scotland and past.
Ardnamurchan | 10 years outdated
When the West Highland craft distillery of Ardnamurchan started distilling in July 2014, the considered a 10-year-old single malt expression appeared a great distance off. However a decade later, the dream has turn out to be a actuality.
The distillery, which sits on the uncovered Ardnamurchan peninsula wanting throughout to the island of Mull, first launched its whisky 4 years in the past, and this anniversary launch has been extremely anticipated ever since.
Their first-ever 10-year-old single malt options Ardnamurchan’s uncommon unpeated fashion (their common spirit is evenly peaty) and has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels earlier than a year-long ending interval in ex-Champagne barriques sourced from the esteemed Paul Launois home.
Count on notes of candy and waxy honeycomb, lashings of ripe tropical fruit, and hints of gingerbread and white chocolate.
Hibiki | 40 years outdated
The Home of Suntory, Japan’s first whisky firm, has launched the oldest-ever model of their multi-award-winning Hibiki mix.
The brand new whisky was created by Shinji Fukuyo, the corporate’s distinguished Grasp Blender. It makes use of whiskies from Suntory’s three distilleries—single malts from Hakushu and Yamazaki and single grain from Chita. All have been distilled and crammed to cask between 1979 and 1983.
The result’s beautiful and contains a mixture of whiskies matured in American, Spanish and uncommon Japanese mizunara oak. Luscious notes of white peach, baked apple and manuka honey cleared the path and are shortly joined by hints of butterscotch, clove and orange blossom.
The magnificence and complexity are elegant. Late hints of raisin, dried apricot, cocoa powder and dusty baking spices add additional depth.
Littlemill | 47 years outdated
If Littlemill have been nonetheless in operation as we speak, it might be the oldest distillery in Scotland. The Lowland distillery was based in 1772 and operated till 1992, when it closed. A catastrophic hearth in 2004 sealed its destiny completely, and it’ll by no means reopen. Subsequently, shares are dwindling with every new launch, and the age of the maturing remaining casks is growing. This has led to Littlemill turning into extremely fascinating and collectable.
This oldest-ever bottling types a part of the model’s prestigious Vanguard Assortment, which has been curated by Michael Henry, the Grasp Blender for Littlemill. He has chosen from a number of the rarest barrels, on this case ex-bourbon casks crammed in October 1976.
Notes of vanilla toffee, exhausting caramel and ripe tropical fruit are joined by mocha, stewed pear and cinnamon.
Express your interest at Littlemill
Longmorn | 30 years outdated
The Longmorn distillery in Speyside, simply south of Elgin, has a wealthy historical past. However for a lot of its life, it has been considerably of a workhorse distillery, with its main operate to supply its characterful single malt to mixing homes throughout Scotland. Solely in recent times has any effort been made to ascertain Longmorn as a single malt brand. It has now actually arrived with the discharge of this oldest-ever bottling.
The Longmorn 30 years outdated will turn out to be a relentless within the distillery’s just lately revamped core vary, becoming a member of the 18- and 22-year-old expressions. It will likely be launched in a small batch yearly.
Notes of caramel, honey and raspberry compote mingle with ripe plum, walnut and spiced apple. This can be a basic long-aged Speyside that reveals itself beautifully after three a long time of maturation in American oak ex-bourbon hogshead casks.
Obtainable at The Whisky Alternate from mid-November
Mortlach | 50 years outdated
The Speyside distillery of Mortlach has lengthy been considered a prestigious single malt, however this has been elevated additional by the discharge of the model’s first-ever 50-year-old. The whisky is taken from a single first-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrel and has been maturing on the distillery for over 5 a long time. It was distilled via the unique direct-fired stills, which have lengthy been changed, and crammed to the cask in 1971.
The brand new whisky is the most recent and ultimate bottling in Mortlach’s super-premium Singing Stills assortment. It has been hand-selected by Dr Craig Wilson, the Grasp Blender for model homeowners Diageo.
The whisky reveals a heady mixture of hedgerow fruits, golden syrup and milk chocolate, which is married with drying wooden spices, Brazil nuts and a pinch of cocoa powder. This can be a whisky for the ages, however you will have very deep pockets.
Stranahan’s | 12 years outdated
Stranahan’s distillery in Denver was the primary within the American state of Colorado to make whiskey since earlier than the Prohibition period. They took the daring step of turning their again on conventional American whiskey types akin to bourbon and rye and producing single malt as a substitute. The founder’s love of Scotch was the driving power. They’re now broadly considered one of many pioneers of this ever-evolving class within the US.
Regardless of being established in 2004, this represents the primary time they’ve launched a 12-year-old expression. The one malt is made utilizing Colorado barley and pristine water from the close by Rocky Mountains. It has been matured in charred new American oak casks earlier than a ending interval in ex-Port wine barrels from Portugal.
Count on notes of vanilla wafer, caramelised orange and fig with a touch of ginger and lemon.
