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Prima & Ultima

THE FIRST AND LAST BOTTLINGS OF EXQUISITE AND ELUSIVE SINGLE MALTS

This third release of Prima & Ultima is a series of truly unique Scotch whiskies representing the almost lost, the historic, and the one-off. This collection offers a unique opportunity to build an expertly curated, inimitable liquid library. 

Hand-selected by a Master Blender

Dr Craig Wilson has curated this series from some of Scotland’s finest distilleries including: Brora, Port Ellen, Lagavulin, The Singleton of Glen Ord, Talisker, Royal Lochnagar, Cragganmore, and Mannochmore.

Purchasing the collection

Individual bottles from the Prima & Ultima range are available in limited quantities. If you would like to enquire about a full set of Prima & Ultima, please contact rarewhisky@justerinis.com.

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THE GREAT AND THE GOOD: THE STORY OF SCOTLAND’S RAREST WHISKIES CONTINUES

Following the outstanding success of the first and second Prima & Ultima comes the hugely anticipated third release. This year Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson takes up the baton, following Master of Malts Maureen Robinson, after the inaugural selection was made by celebrated master blender Dr Jim Beveridge OBE.

Among the treasured casks of Scotch Whisky made and stored every year there is a small cohort that will rise to become remarkable

Their greatness emerges over time adding new stories into this growing narrative of Scotland’s rich liquid history.

 

Embodying the very best in Scotch, each whisky in the collection tells a tale of heritage and craftsmanship, so rare that their contents, and the moment they capture, risk being lost to the world forever. The series this year features the oldest ever release from Port Ellen; the a 1980 taken from two casks filled the year Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the maltings. It is the last of this vintage. The casks for this release matured exclusively on Islay, overlaying the whisky with notes of brine and seaweed. Alongside this sit Brora 1981, considered the rarest publicly available whisky from the distillery; a single malt that shows a more fragrant, less peated side to the classic style.

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Talisker

The last Talisker casks from 1984 bring another maritime note to the collection, while two exploratory whiskies capture the spirit of innovation; a Royal Lochnagar from 1981, the result of an experiment to capture the angels’ share, and a Mannochmore from 1990, a whisky exposed to an unusual maturation process.

Lagavulin

The oldest whisky in this year’s selection comes from the oldest casks of Cragganmore in the reserves, while a 28 year old Lagavulin 1993 celebrates the beginning of a golden era of awards for the celebrated Islay distillery.

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Singleton

The Singleton of Glen Ord finishes the line up with a dual claim to the Prima & Ultima title, being the first ever 1987 vintage release, taken from the last remaining casks of 1987.

Every whisky in this collection tells a story, capturing an essence of a time and era in liquid form, holding those moments in suspension until they are released out of darkness, bottled and brought to light.

Every set of Prima & Ultima includes the eight single vintage bottlings and is accompanied by 20ml tasting samples of each whisky and a booklet of Craig’s personal reflections.

Head of Rare & Collectable Whiskies at Justerini & Brooks

Tod Bradbury

"The launch of Prima & Ultima is the most exciting release in the Whisky calendar. These extremely rare, limited-edition single malt bottlings are unrepeatable. With their unique histories and stories, each release takes you on a journey of flavour around Scotland. Where else would you be treated to the oldest release from the Ghost distillery of Port Ellen? From the two casks filled on the very same year that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the Port Ellen Maltings on Islay, to the newly resurrected Brora distillery and the rarest publicly released whisky from this Highland classic distillery. This will be the ultimate Whisky Library, one to collect, covet but most importantly sip and savour!"

The Liquid Library

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Royal Lochnagar 1981, 40 Year Old

ABV: 52.5% Bottled: 06.12.21 Cask: Refill casks, refill American Oak Hogsheads Number Bottled: 1,047 bottles Balmoral, Royal Deeside

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Cragganmore 1973, 48 Year Old

ABV: 44.8% Bottled: 06.12.21 Cask: 3 refill American Oak Hogsheads Number Bottled: 351 bottles Ballindalloch, Speyside

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Mannochmore 1990, 31 Year Old

ABV: 45.1% Bottled: 06.12.21 Cask: Refill cask, untreated virgin European Oak Number Bottled: 317 bottles Glenlossie, Speyside

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Brora 1981, 40 Year Old

ABV: 44.1% Bottled: 09.12.21 Cask: 1 refill American Oak Hogshead, 1 European Oak Sherry Butt Number Bottled: 354 bottles Brora, Highland

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The Singleton of Glen Ord 1987, 34 Year Old

ABV: 49.4% Bottled: 10.12.21 Cask: 5 refill American Oak Hogsheads Number Bottled: 1,047 bottles Glen Ord, Highlands

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Lagavulin 1993, 28 Year Old

ABV: 50.1% Bottled: 08.12.21 Cask: 1 Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso seasoned butt, 1 refill American Oak Hogsheads Number Bottled: 642 bottles Port Ellen, Isle of Islay

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Talisker 1984, 37 Year Old

ABV: 51.9% Bottled: 07.12.21 Cask: 3 refill American Oak Hogsheads, 1 ex-Sherry European Oak Butt Number Bottled: 968 bottles Carbost, Isle of Skye

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Port Ellen 1980, 41 Year Old

ABV: 59.6% Bottled: 07.12.21 Cask: 1 refill American Oak Hogshead, 1 ex-Sherry European Oak Butt Number Bottled: 555 bottles Port Ellen, Isle of Islay

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Master Blender

Dr Craig Wilson

"I hand selected whiskies that have never appeared in Prima & Ultima before. Each is an exceptional spirit marking both a special time in the distilleries’ history, and whiskies that I’ve had the privilege to watch mature. These Single Malts, and the stories they hold, weren’t meant to rest in obscurity. They were made to be shared."

Terms & Conditions

Delivery of rare and collectable whisky from Justerini & Brooks is currently available to 29 locations. Delivery of Prima & Ultima bottles and full sets may be subject to local taxes and duties as they apply to the shipping destination, and this will be at the purchaser’s responsibility.

Prima & Ultima bottles will be available to purchase from October 2022.

Justerini & Brooks will process your personal data in accordance with our privacy and cookie notice. Justerini & Brooks will only use your personal data for the purpose of carrying out this promotion and for no other purpose, unless Justerini & Brooks obtains your consent. The personal details will at all times be kept confidential and in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation. Allocations will remain at the sole and absolute discretion of Justerini & Brooks. If you have any questions, please email rarewhisky@justerinis.com.