Single Malt Gems

The term “Single” means that the whisky, made only from malted barley and distilled in a batch process in copper pot stills, comes from one individual distillery which invariably carries the name of the place where the distillery is located.

From a range of approximately 140 distilleries – both operational and defunct – across Scotland there is now a bewildering variety of varying expressions, both bottled by the distilling companies themselves and by independent bottlers, such as Gordon & MacPhail. What we are offering is some of the very scarcest of both types, mainly from Speyside, but also from Islay, as well as a smattering from elsewhere in the Highlands, from the Lowlands and from Campbeltown. 

The whiskies we feature here are past winners from distilleries which are currently in production. The selection is based on personal preferences and our assessment of the individual whisky’s whole of quality, its investment value and potential collectable worth.  To some extent it is a self-selective process in terms of Ardbeg, Bowmore, Glenfarclas, Glen Grant, Glenlivet, Lagavulin. Laphroaig, Macallan, Springbank, Talisker and the like. But there are also some surprises. Collectively, they present a rare opportunity to acquire some fine, but scarcely seen expressions from distilleries whose eminence requires no justification here.

We make no judgement as to taste etc. and simply provide the tasting and other notes of the distillery/bottler or, occasionally, qualified third parties, where these are available. After all, the former have made huge efforts to get this right and we see no reason to try and second-guess them! However, we provide as much relevant information as we can for each expression.

The distillery images are based on the drawings by Peter Haillay which appeared in “The Whisky Distilleries of Scotland and Ireland” by Philip Morrice, published in 1987.

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