Glen Scotia 18 year old (The Single Cask) 1992

Distillery: Glen Scotia

Region: Campbeltown

Age: 18 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 58.4%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Edition Spirits

Distillation Date: 1992

Bottling Date: 2010

Cask Number: tbc

Tasting Notes

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The Single Cask is a new range by independent bottlers Edition Spirits Ltd. specialising in old and rare whisky. The range deals primarily with exclusive bottlings for private collectors and specialist retailers, with few brands and expressions made available to the wider public.

Like many others, especially in the Campbeltown region, Glen Scotia distillery has a history beset by closures, and is one of the smallest operations still surviving with a staff of just three employees. Despite this, Glen Scotia has earned a reputation for good quality whisky, especially its Single Cask expressions.

Springbank Triple-Distilled 13 year old (NC2) 1997

Distillery: Springbank

Region: Campbeltown

Age: 13 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 54.4%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Distillation Date: 1997

Bottling Date: 2010

Cask Number: tbc

Tasting Notes

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NC2 stands for "non-coloured" and "non-chill-filtered" and as such bottlers Duncan Taylor proudly proclaim this range as "completely natural". Each cask in the NC2 range is matured at it's original distillery and hand-picked for bottling by Duncan Taylor.

Springbank is rare in still being a family owned distillery, and with most of its product sold as Single Malt and Single Cask. They are also one of only two distilleries in Scotland that performs every step of the process, from malting to bottling, all on the same premises. Even more unusual for Scotch whisky is their distillation process - even their own distillery branded bottles use a process they refer to as "distilled two-and-a-half times", which produces a purer, smoother spirit. However, it is also one of the most inactive distilleries, with the stills in operation for less than a third of the year. This mixture of quality and scarcity makes Springbank a highly sought-after malt.

Isle of Arran 12 year old (Whisky Galore) 1996

Distillery: Isle of Arran

Region: Island

Age: 12 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength:46%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Distillation Date: 1996

Bottling Date: 2008

Cask Number:

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Named for the Legendary Scotch which was smuggled from a wrecked cargo ship off the west coast of Scotland in 1941 (and the film of the same name based on those events), the Whisky Galore range is another of Duncan Taylor's unadulterated selections.

Since the closure of Lagg Distillery on the Isle of Arran in 1837 there had been no legal distilleries on the island for over 150 years. That is, until this young addition to the Single Malt world was founded in 1995. Despite its youth, Arran is developing a good reputation, perhaps in part due to the fact that almost all of its product is released as either Single Malt or Single Cask, with just a small portion used in blends and liqueurs, making it easily accesible.

Macallan 12 year old (Wealth of a Nation) 1997

Distillery: Macallan

Region: Speyside

Age: 12 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Scottish Liqueur Centre

Distillation Date: 1997

Bottling Date: 2009

Cask Number: 981

Tasting Notes

Colour: Pale gold.

Aroma: Coconut, vanilla and mint.

Taste: Fruity, with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Finish: Vanilla lingers on.

As the third biggest-selling Single Malt Scotch, Macallan will be a familiar name even to non-aficionados. Traditionally maturing in sherry casks, the supply of which dwindled during the late 20th century, in recent years the distillery has gradually shifted towards other used casks, such as bourbon. This Single Cask selection is a subtle shift from distillery bottled product - similar enough to be obviously kin, but different enough to delight a curious palate.

Royal Lochnagar 19 year old (Rare Auld) 1990

Distillery: Royal Lochnagar

Region: Highland

Age: 19 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 54.6%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Distillation Date: 1990

Bottling Date: 2009

Cask Number: 356

Tasting Notes

Colour: Straw.

Aroma: Powerful, grassy, with apple peel and wet stone.

Taste: Big and grassy again, with citrus, violet sweets and marmalade.

Finish: Long and complex, with almonds, orange and, once again, grass.

An outstanding collection, all aged 17 years and above, Duncan Taylor's "Rare Auld" range represents top-notch malts of impeccable quality, bottled from single cask and at cask strength.

The Lochnagar malt owes its prefix to the Royal Warrant issued in 1848 after the distillery was visited by Queen Victoria and her family, who were staying at the Balmoral estate next door. Most of what the distillery produces is used in Johnny Walker Blue and Black label whiskies, making any Single Malt bearing the name Royal Lochnagar a rare and much sought after dram.