A whisky recovered. Distilled in 1984, this 35 year old Caol Ila, has been drawn from one single cask, number 5773. A single refill butt, filled on November 27th 1984. Usually, Caol Ila is enjoyed when young with mature casks from this time becoming vanishingly rare. Against all odds Cask #5773 was recovered and put aside for thirteen years until perfection matched rarity... This precious liquid represents a new style of Caol Ila introduced in the ‘80s, whose flavours sing in even greater harmony. The colour of bright polished brass, this Caol Ila 35-year-old has a delicate aroma, mild with buttery sponge-cake, with a suggestion of baked pears, light, briny beach notes and a very faint hint of antiseptic cream in the base. The taste is rich and textured; big, bold and smoky in taste. A rich, fruity sweetness and salty savouriness combine to suggest sweet-glazed meat roasting on the barbecue.

The search for the secret. Distilled in 1993 at 26 years old, this natural cask strength Clynelish has been drawn from refill American oak casks. Clynelish has a much-prized waxy quality that long defied understanding. Various theories on the source of the waxy smoothness emerged with some believing it was brought out by the water from the Clynemilton Burn, which was used for distilling. Finally, not long before these casks were filled, it was discovered that the secret lay in the way the stills were run, which affected how the feints and low wines gathered. Those fortunate enough to enjoy this rare Clynelish will be able to appreciate the full depth of delightful waxy character in this sublime small release.

A Deep 18 carat gold colour, with a mellow, at first buttery top note which leads into the fruitiness of fresh apples and pears, with light tropical fruit notes of banana and papaya. Below this is a dry scent, and there is a faintly waxy note at the base. The taste is a pleasing, creamy-smooth texture and a sweet fruits that quickly develop into a spicy intensity. The finish is sweet and spicy with a charming hint of honeycomb.

The last of the coal fired stills. Distilled in 1971 at the age of 48, this natural cask strength Cragganmore has been drawn from one prized cask, number 2301. From the very last cask made on coal-fired stills before the switch to oil-fired steam heating in 1972, this Cragganmore is a remarkable piece of history. A single first fill ex-Sherry butt, and a bottling that can never be repeated. The flavours provide a glorious reminder of rich ‘old school’ whiskies from another age and run unforgettably deep. Very dark magenta and rich mahogany in colour. The aromas are mild yet hugely complex, with treacle toffee, prunes in syrup, dark raisins, old-fashioned cold remedies, dark chocolate, espresso coffee and later a suggestion of eucalyptus oil. The taste is thick and oily in texture, rich, sweet and complex with tarred ropes, hessian sacks, dark chocolate, wine-soaked fruit then a controlled, wood-spiced and peppery mid-palate. The finish is long fresh and drying, with a lingering hint of leather-bound books.

The purest expression. Distilled in 1991 at the age of 28, this natural cask strength Lagavulin has been drawn from American refill oak casks. This is an exceptional deep gold Lagavulin. Distilled not long after great strides had been made towards capturing more of the pure distillery character of this majestic malt. Preserving that pure Lagavulin spirit with minimal cask influence. The carefully selected American Oak hogsheads have cocooned the whiskies for generations. The oldest bottling ever to mark that achievement, this small release comes from a mere handful of remaining casks of their kind filled in 1991. It shows the pure distillery character to perfection and has a terrific depth of flavour. Deep gold in colour with pale amber lights. The aroma is Linseed oil, muscle rub and a suggestion of fresh linen, then a hint of putty, based on a distant wisp of bergamot-scented smoke. The taste is smoothly oily and rich in texture, with a beautifully balanced sweet, then salty and smoky taste, in which a drying, spicy warmth builds. The finish has a medium length, with more scented smoke, and very spicy.

The amazing conundrum. Distilled in 1994 at 25 years old, this natural cask strength whisky has been drawn from one very special cask, number 2652. This unrepeatably rare opportunity to enjoy the style of mature Mortlach that made it famous as “The Beast of Dufftown” comes from one of our very last 1994 first-fill Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso seasoned European Oak butts. The result is truly deep and rich in flavour, with an almost meaty, robust muscularity. The colour is deep amber, with crimson lights. The aromas are tightly integrated, with a yeasty, nutty, vinous note bringing to mind mincemeat pies, fig jam and fruit squares; dusty, with a suggestion of charred wood in the base and perhaps a hint of treacle toffee. The taste is soft and richly textured, intense and sweet then drying in taste with a gentle yet insistent spiciness and a really meaty feel. The finish is long and very gently drying, with rich sweetness and a smoky note.

A hidden treasure. Distilled in 1979, at 40 years old this natural cask strength Port Ellen has been drawn entirely from one cask, number 6422. The Port Ellen distillery closed in 1983, yet its single malt was later revealed to age wonderfully; this superb example is subtle, elegant and flavourful after forty years. From one of the very last 1979 European Oak butts, this Port Ellen expresses, to the full, the wonderful balance between sweetness, saltiness and smokiness that characterises Port Ellen. At its peak Port Ellen continues to bring the whisky world one of its great joys. 18 carat gold in colour, with aromas that are mild and lightly medicinal, with top notes of antiseptic cream and liquid, followed by eucalyptus, with a light ashy smokiness tucked away at the base. The taste is soft and smooth in texture, sweet, with more than a trace of dry, appetising saltiness and a building black pepper spiciness. Beautifully made, delicious and best enjoyed straight. The finish is long, drying and elegantly smoky, with a peppery heat and lingering smoke in the cooling aftertaste.

Moments of discovery. Distilled in 1988 this 30 year old Singleton is drawn from refill American oak casks. Complex and layered, a unique single malt and the last survivor from a handful of the best casks filled at Dufftown distillery in 1988. After a moment of rich discovery when Singleton uncovered vital new flavours in its whisky. By giving the yeast more time to work its magic on the wash before distilling they managed to slowly unfurl grassy, fruity flavours never truly experienced before. This historic expression shares the excitement of that discovery. This first and last release comes from the three best among the last few 1988 casks. The colour is bright, clear gold with mellow and at first vinous, aromas. A suggestion of apple tart or sharply fruity elderflower and redcurrant on short-crust pastry and Virginia tobacco, on a base rich in woody aromas. The taste is slim and smooth in texture, yet sweet and lightly fruity with considerable, growing spicy intensity, which comes to dominate. The finish is long, spicy and warming, then lightly drying. Leaves the palate tingling.

In 1988 a small group of Talisker casks showed a less peaty, more rounded character when nosing the new make spirit. Remembering how special they were, the last six were reserved for this unique one in a thousand cask release. The more subtle flavours we found then are now superbly integrated; sweet yet peppery, fruity yet salty. With every nuance in perfect harmony, this extra-mature expression is rich in roaring contrasts. It is a stunning Talisker, full of vitality and with all its sweet, smoky, peppery tastes bound tightly together to make a truly beguiling and perfectly integrated whole; the very essence of mature genius. Full gold, with amber lights. The aroma is maritime overall and coy; perhaps a trace of smooth honey, underscored by a rich red fruit tartness. A drop of water introduces vanilla toffee and sweet dried seaweed, retaining the maritime scent, with a wisp of wood-accented smoke. The taste is richly textured with a smooth, oily mouthfeel, intense and lightly sweet, with a light saltiness, a hint of cigar-box smoke mid palate and a soft hit of chilli pepper at the close. The finish is long and gently drying, with honeyed sweetness alongside the smokiness and light spice.