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Brora 1981 Prima & Ultima Third Release
Brands, Brora, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholThe last release of 1981 Brora, this may well be the rarest publicly available Brora of all. Much of the Brora we know today is heavily peated, the American Oak hogshead and European Oak Sherry butt selected here show us a different side of the Brora story. Filled at a time when less whisky was being made, it was often less peaty allowing new aromas and tastes to shine through. Selected by Dr Craig Wilson, Brora 1981 is one of eight carefully curated whiskies in the third instalment of the Prima & Ultima series. Fragrant notes of scented candlewax dance with smoke and moorland flowers, leading to a smooth waxy texture that is sweet and lightly smoky.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep, clear gold. No beading, slow legs.
Body: Medium.
Nose: Very mild and mellow, with no prickle. Fragrant notes of scented candle wax dance with smoke moorland flowers.
Palate: Appealingly smooth, mouth- filling and waxy in texture. Immediately sweet, spicy and smoky to taste, and sweet overall, with light balancing salt mid-palate.
Finish: Long, smooth and faintly waxy, with sweet warmth and light smoke that both linger in the tingling aftertaste.
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Cragganmore 1973 Prima & Ultima Third Release
Brands, Craigellachie, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholWith complex aromas that include almond oil, this Cragganmore 1973 comes from the oldest casks we have, filled soon after the coal-heated stills turned to steam. This milestone in distilling gave birth to a new age in which craft and vision could walk hand in hand.
Selected by Dr Craig Wilson, Cragganmore 1973 is one of eight carefully curated whiskies in the third instalment of the Prima & Ultima series. A pathfinder for the smooth whiskies of the modern-day, the nose is more complex than usual with a palate that is sweet but pleasantly tart.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Clear rich amber, polished mahogany. No beading. Long legs.
Body: Medium to full.
Nose: A very mellow nose with just a little prickle to start, which soon disappears. In the rich top notes the immediate impression is almost sherry-like, soon becoming sweeter, with almond oil or almond cake. Also lightly fruity, with tropical fruits; papaya, ripe mango, plantain banana, and apricot. Finally, there are some fragrant floral notes, the base reminiscent of a sandalwood cigar wrapper.
Palate: A creamy, even lightly oily texture and a sweet taste, which soon becomes pleasantly tart, with a hint of caramelised orange, then oaky-dry with light tannins.
Finish: Quite long, with a gentle, spicy warmth, and finishing dry, with vanilla fudge lingering in the long aftertaste.
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Lagavulin 1993 Prima & Ultima Third Release
Brands, Lagavulin, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholA prized Lagavulin, from the last two 1993 casks, filled in the year the distillery won the first of an avalanche of international awards. It was the start of a golden era, a success that owed much to an Islay legend, Manager Grant Carmichael.
A Lagavulin at its mature peak with redcurrant fruitiness on the nose, soon overcome by the maritime scents of sea salt and sweet seaweed. Lightly oily, the smooth texture delivers a long mellow finish, a gloriously rich and rounded whisky.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep amber with ruby lights. Shiny chestnut. Very good beading and legs.
Body: Medium to full.
Nose: A mellow nose in feel, with light prickle. Redcurrant fruitiness is soon overcome by maritime scents of sea-salt and sweet seaweed on a base of woodsmoke.
Palate: Lightly oily and smooth in texture. An immediately sweet and lightly spicy start with winey fruit, a balancing pinch of salt and soon, appreciable pepper and smoke flooding through. Rich in style, with drying oak tannins and lightly drying later.
Finish: Long, with a deep peppery smokiness: slightly mouth-cooling, with more smoke in the peaty aftertaste.
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Mannochmore 1990 Prima & Ultima Third Release
A very special Mannochmore sourced from a single small experimental batch exposed to a highly unusual maturation. First housed in refill casks, then in unusual, highly active virgin European Oak for almost three decades has revealed a whole new character. The pale and youthful whisky has evolved into a dark and intriguing spirit, lean and smooth in texture. Selected by Dr Craig Wilson, Mannochmore 1990 is one of eight carefully curated whiskies in the third instalment of the Prima & Ultima series. The powerful taste of striking dark orange marmalade is cut with drying wood spice before spiralling into endless layers of deep bitterness.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Rich rosewood with ruby lights.
Body: Medium.
Nose: A gentle and almost enigmatic nose, dry overall, which initially gives little away. After a while a suggestion of polished leather emerges, perhaps edging towards scented wax furniture polish, on a base of hard toffee, with vanilla notes.
Palate: Lean and smooth in texture, while the powerfully bittersweet taste is immediately striking. The powerful taste of striking dark orange marmalade is cut with drying wood spice before spiralling into endless layers of deep bitterness.
Finish: Medium to long, lightly spicy and very drying, with a bitter-sweet nutty-spicy aftertaste.
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Port Ellen 1980 Prima & Ultima Third Release
Brands, Port Ellen, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholThis prized piece of history is the oldest Port Ellen ever to be released, filled in the year the Queen visited the Port Ellen maltings. It comes from the two very last casks of 1980 which lived all their days on Islay.
Selected by Dr Craig Wilson, Port Ellen 1980 is one of eight carefully curated whiskies in the third instalment of the Prima & Ultima series. This whisky of majestic quality is rich and smooth with notes of brine and dry seaweed on the nose. This very special Port Ellen is a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and smoky, with a long, lightly peaty finish.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Bright, clear 9ct gold. Good beading, copious legs.
Body: Medium to full.
Nose: A fresh nose, with some prickle closing the aroma initially; lightly drying. The initial impression is lightly medicinal, becoming more maritime as it opens with hints of brine, sea-breeze, dry seaweed or boat varnish. Lightly smoky, with hints of spun honey.
Palate: Rich, smooth and lightly oily in texture. Starts sweet, quickly seasoned with a shake of salt and pepper.
Finish: A long, gently warming and very lightly peaty finish, slightly mouth-cooling, with smoke lingering in the aftertaste.
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Prima & Ultima Collection Brora 45 Year Old 1977
Brands, Brora, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholAn unrepeatable gem from the last hogsheads filled in the last distillation of the year on the 15th December 1977. Marking the end of the era known as the ‘Age of Peat’ this feal amber-hued legend is rich and tempting, complex and rewarding on the nose and palate with a unique ‘sweet peat’ character.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep amber with copper lights. Reddish gold. No beading; very good, long legs.
Body: Medium.
Nose: Very mellow, dense and complex, with no prickle. Familiar soft and fragrant notes suggesting scented candle wax are accompanied by a light mineral oiliness and a mere hint of sweet toffee. More fragrant in time. Water simplifies these notes, without materially changing them.
Palate: At natural strength, there is a textbook oily, smoothly waxy texture, while the taste is sweet overall with light saltiness and smokiness, becoming spicier, with Cayenne pepper at the back. Delicious straight. A little water gives a certain sweetness to the taste but is not needed.
Finish: Long warming and lightly drying, with gingery spice, a peaty kick and a menthol-like cool aftertaste.
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Prima & Ultima Collection Clynelish 26 Year Old 1996
Brands, Clynelish Distillery, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholA first and last of the kind, these two experimental Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso Casks seasoned European Oak butts provide a new rich sweetness and darkness to this one of a kind Clynelish. Filled in 1996 this maturation has brought a more powerful taste to Clynelish’s crisp charm and is a tribute to those unafraid to plough into a new furrow.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep amber with copper lights. Excellent beading. Good legs.
Body: Medium.
Nose: Mellow and quite drying, with light prickle. The first impression is faintly medicinal and mossy, with just a faint hint of grapefruit, becoming lightly oily; beneath this is a sweet suggestion of toffee and a faint hint of fragrant smoke (a Clynelish aficionado hunting for a note of snuffed candle may think this an echo of it). All of this is comparatively shy and closed. A little water increases the hint of toffee and introduces a balsa wood note.
Palate: Smoothly oily, the texture is lightly waxy and tooth- coating. The taste is surprisingly sweet to start and apple- fruity at first, then quickly very drying and soon, chilli- pepper spicy. A toffee apple with burnt edges comes to mind. A little water helps bring up the sweetness and reduce the spiciness.
Finish: A good length, with a spicy kick and a mouth-cooling aftertaste which at the same time has warming Szechuan pepper-spice. Sweeter with a drop of water and now salty; the spice is reduced.
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Prima & Ultima Collection Lagavulin 25 Year Old 1997
Brands, Lagavulin, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholThe final memory of a golden year at the distillery, 1997, when third generation distillery manager Mike Nicolson was custodian of the Lagavulin legacy. This is Lagavulin as it should be, mature, rich and in its pomp, a beautifully rounded example of the power and majesty of this Islay malt.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Pure 18 ct gold. Excellent beading, good legs.
Body: Medium.
Nose: A mellow nose in feel, with light prickle at first. The first impression is of full-on phenolic aromas that are both medicinal, as with sticking plasters and carbolic, and smoky, suggesting a fragrant birchwood bonfire. Gradually notes of camphor and linseed oil are added, along with a fragrant bergamot that calls to mind lapsang souchong tea. Maritime notes of salt crystals and dry sand provide a firm base. A drop of water increases the prickle and emphasises the smokiness.
Palate: At natural strength, the texture is quite light and smoothly oily, while the taste starts sweet then becomes more saline, lightly vegetal and drying, with smoky pungency then billowing through. An easy balance between sweetness, saltiness and smoke is maintained throughout. Adding a little water brings up the sweetness at first, though the smoke still comes through.
Finish: Long, clean, sweet and smoky, with more smoke in the aftertaste. Softer with water, but still rounded and warming, the late smoke becoming more charcoal-like.
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Prima & Ultima Collection Oban 26 Year Old 1996
Brands, Oban Distillery, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholThe very last 1996 Oban is highly unusual yet delicious with a firmer backbone than is usual for this distillery. Rarely seen at Oban, the refill European oak delivers a distinctively dry maritime slant to both aroma and taste and hosts a lively peppery spiciness. A first appearance for Oban to Prima & Ultima, this bottling comes at a time when the distillery had won the highly competitive Managers Dram competition a record three times.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep amber with copper lights. Excellent beading. Good legs.
Body: Medium.
Nose: Mellow and quite drying, with light prickle. The first impression is faintly medicinal and mossy, with just a faint hint of grapefruit, becoming lightly oily; beneath this is a sweet suggestion of toffee and a faint hint of fragrant smoke (a Clynelish aficionado hunting for a note of snuffed candle may think this an echo of it). All of this is comparatively shy and closed. A little water increases the hint of toffee and introduces a balsa wood note.
Palate: Smoothly oily, the texture is lightly waxy and tooth- coating. The taste is surprisingly sweet to start and apple- fruity at first, then quickly very drying and soon, chilli- pepper spicy. A toffee apple with burnt edges comes to mind. A little water helps bring up the sweetness and reduce the spiciness.
Finish: A good length, with a spicy kick and a mouth-cooling aftertaste which at the same time has warming Szechuan pepper-spice. Sweeter with a drop of water and now salty; the spice is reduced.
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Prima & Ultima Collection Pittyvaich 30 Year Old 1992
Selected as the ultimate example of this little known malt, these are the last ever Pedro Ximénez/Oloroso butts from 1992 and the last of the distillery’s younger liquid as it closed the following year. Standing as Pittyvaich’s last ever 30-Year-Old whisky, the richness of character, fruity-spicy aromas and depth of taste make this a very special Single Malt.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Rich rosewood, deep red with amber lights. Good beading and legs.
Body: Medium.
Nose: A mellow, drying nose with no real prickle. A fleeting hint of wine nods to the PX/Oloroso casks, then the top notes are of red fruits, such as redcurrants, cherries and a suggestion of raspberry jam, joined by just a hint of ripe banana, although the overall effect is not sweet. These fruity notes soon fade to simply leave a dry trace of wine, and a sweet suggestion of chocolate at reduced strength.
Palate: A soft, creamy-smooth texture introduces a lightly sweet taste with a sherried fruitiness then a pinch of salt in mid-palate, which soon becomes tannic and dry, while spicily warming. Beautifully fluid and single minded. A drop of water thins the taste but increases the spice.
Finish: Of medium length and fruity, with a dry, slightly peppery spicy kick and aftertaste. Similar with water.
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Prima & Ultima Collection Port Ellen 43 Year Old 1978
Brands, Port Ellen, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholThis vanishingly rare example of an exceptional Port Ellen, richly expressive after forty-three years, comes from the last four precious American Oak Hogsheads from 1978. Created by and tended to by Iain MacArthur, who filled the last cask at Port Ellen in 1983, this rare malt established the character of the distillery celebrated by connoisseurs to this day.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep gold, rich amber. Fine, light beading, Good viscous legs.
Body: Medium to full.
Nose: Mellow, reserved and lightly drying, with faint prickle, The top notes are of ash, suggesting an empty grate with wood ash, and maritime, with hints of rock salt and dry seaweed, beneath which another smoky note suggests a faded coal sack. It becomes sweeter in the development, with hints of buttery fudge. All these aromas are discreet and fragile. A drop of water brings up more classic coal smoke.
Palate: Smoothly oily and mouth-filling in texture, with the classic Port Ellen balance of sweetness, saltiness and smoke richly expressed in a surprisingly sweet taste to start, which becomes salty in mid-palate, finishing with light spice and billows of fragrant smoke. Adding a drop of water favours the sweetness, while the spice soon returns.
Finish: Long and peppery-smoky, with an attractively spicy edge and a tongue-tingling aftertaste. With water, the aftertaste takes a cooling slant, with a trace of linseed oil.
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Prima & Ultima Collection Talisker 46 Year Old 1976
Brands, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, Talisker, AlcoholIn 1976 Scotland basked in a once in a lifetime heatwave which made the stills run hot, increasing copper contact, creating this highly unusual Talisker. Standing as the oldest-ever release from Talisker, this forty six year old whisky was rested in a single puncheon gaining further complexity to this exceptionally rare malt.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep amber. Outstanding large beading, excellent legs.
Body: Medium to full.
Nose: A mellow feel, with very light prickle perhaps just hinting at that Talisker spice. The aromas are complex and reserved, with fragrant and lightly oily top notes backed by a salty sea-breeze and a whiff of new hessian sacks, and beneath this a sweet suggestion of toffee. Even a drop of water reduces the complexity, as it releases a hint of shoreline rock pool and a thread of volcanic smoke.
Palate: Ultra-smooth, oily and slightly waxy in texture, the taste sweet to start, with saltiness, white pepper-spice and subtle smokiness, complete with a familiar peppery kick at the back, all combining to make this an experience to savour throughout. Thoroughly confident in character, it is easy to enjoy straight. A little water raises the sweetness at first, and cools the palate overall, though the pepper and smoke still come through.
Finish: Long, warming and sweet-smoky, with a lingering mouth-cooling aftertaste. More of this menthol-like effect is noticeable at reduced strength.
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Prima & Ultima Collection The Singleton 37 Year Old 1985
Brands, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, The Singleton, AlcoholCasks which would have otherwise been used as part of a blend were rediscovered during the acquisition of a warehouse. The result is a thirty seven year old masterpiece from the last The Singleton of Dufftown 1985 casks. Slow crafting is the key to The Singleton depth of flavour and this elegant expression is no exception, with a fruity nose and lightly oily smooth texture formed by patient years in cask.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep amber, light walnut. No beading, long legs.
Body: Medium.
Nose: Mellow in feel, with very light prickle. The top notes begin oily and soon become fruity, suggesting a ripe Ogen melon or poached pears and baked apple. Beneath this there lie traces of flaked almonds and grated, dried coconut on a base of buttery short-crust pastry. Adding a drop of water moves the fruitiness towards boiled fruit sweets.
Palate: Lightly oily and smooth in texture, and slightly drying. A lightly sweet initial taste, mid-palate, then a spicier suggestion of salt, all briefly evoking a banana fritter. Easy to drink straight, and appreciably softer with water.
Finish: Of good length and elegantly drying, with a lovely, sweet warmth and a lingering aftertaste. Softer overall with water, which introduces a further hint of spice.
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Royal Lochnagar 1981 Prima & Ultima Third Release
Brands, Prima & Ultima Collection, Royal Lochnagar, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, AlcoholRoyal Lochnagar 1981 is a tiny batch of Royal Lochnagar, part of a pioneering experiment to gain the angels’ share, the whisky lost from the cask by evaporation. When the experiment ended, a small amount of liquid was transferred into the present casks, to slumber peacefully until its fifth decade. Selected by Dr Craig Wilson, Royal Lochnagar 1981 is one of eight carefully curated whiskies in the third instalment of the Prima & Ultima series.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Deep gold with copper lights. Fine and lingering beading, multiple long legs.
Body: Medium.
Nose: A mellow nose with light prickle. Aromas of honeysuckle, rose and bramble.
Palate: A smooth, creamy and mouth- filling texture, and a sweet overall taste, very slightly waxy, with an intensely oaky and spicy start. Things soon become elegantly drying, with a real and growing warmth.
Finish: Long, warming and spicy with an intense, spicy warmth spreading across the palate.
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Talisker 1984 Prima & Ultima Third Release
Brands, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, Talisker, AlcoholTaken from the very last 1984 casks from Talisker, set aside and guarded for decades for their promising potential. At the time few knew of Talisker’s tempestuous maritime character, but there was something special about these 1984 casks that made the distiller set them aside.
Selected by Dr Craig Wilson, Talisker 1984 is one of eight carefully curated whiskies in the third instalment of the Prima & Ultima series. The nose gives immediate light smoky notes, joined by fine sand and seaweed drying on a hot day. The lightly oily texture is sweet and rich to start, with thunder rolling in shortly after, leaving a mighty peppery kick. It is Skye in all its elemental glory.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Bright gold, polished brass. Exceptional large beading.
Body: Medium to full.
Nose: Immediate mineral and lightly smoky with hints of chalk and salt, joined by notes of fine sand and seaweed drying on a hot day.
Palate: A deliciously light oil-smooth texture introduces a sweet and richly malty start, soon balanced by a dash of salt mid-palate and surging waves of smoky pepper. Drying towards the finish.
Finish: Long, with a peppery warmth and a fine gentle chili pepper ‘catch’, leaving a peppery heat on the tongue.
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The Singleton of Glen Ord 1987 Prima & Ultima Third Release
Brands, Prima & Ultima Collection, Whisky/Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Scotch, The Singleton, AlcoholA first, and last, this is the first 1987 The Singleton of Glen Ord vintage and the only one ever to be released, from the last casks that remain. Slow crafting and patience were key to this rare bottling, taking time to distil the liquid and see each cask reach its peak. The result is an elegant liquid with a fragrant nose and creamy-smooth texture. The sweetly satisfying taste holds deep fruity flavours with hints of ginger.
Selected by Dr Craig Wilson, The Singleton of Glen Ord 1987 is one of eight carefully curated whiskies in the third instalment of the Prima & Ultima series.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Bright gold, polished brass. Exceptional large beading.
Body: Medium to full.
Nose: Immediate mineral and lightly smoky with hints of chalk and salt, joined by notes of fine sand and seaweed drying on a hot day.
Palate: A deliciously light oil-smooth texture introduces a sweet and richly malty start, soon balanced by a dash of salt mid-palate and surging waves of smoky pepper. Drying towards the finish.
Finish: Long, with a peppery warmth and a fine gentle chili pepper ‘catch’, leaving a peppery heat on the tongue.