We recently showcased a selection of the oldest and rarest whiskies released in 2024. But some brands have recently stepped up another level and released their oldest-ever bottlings. This is no mean feat given the modern whisky market, and these super-rare whiskies have captured the attention of drinkers and collectors around the globe.
Some are from traditional distilleries and decades old, making them ultra-premium (read: expensive). Others offer the most developed taste yet from newer craft and artisanal producers.
It’s time to look at some of these collectable whisky gems from Scotland and beyond.
Ardnamurchan | 10 years old
When the West Highland craft distillery of Ardnamurchan began distilling in July 2014, the thought of a 10-year-old single malt expression seemed a long way off. But a decade later, the dream has become a reality.
The distillery, which sits on the exposed Ardnamurchan peninsula looking across to the island of Mull, first released its whisky four years ago, and this anniversary release has been highly anticipated ever since.
Their first-ever 10-year-old single malt features Ardnamurchan’s rare unpeated style (their regular spirit is lightly peaty) and has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels before a year-long finishing period in ex-Champagne barriques sourced from the esteemed Paul Launois house.
Expect notes of sweet and waxy honeycomb, lashings of ripe tropical fruit, and hints of gingerbread and white chocolate.
Available at Master of Malt
Hibiki | 40 years old
The House of Suntory, Japan’s first whisky company, has released the oldest-ever version of their multi-award-winning Hibiki blend.
The new whisky was created by Shinji Fukuyo, the company’s distinguished Master Blender. It uses whiskies from Suntory’s three distilleries—single malts from Hakushu and Yamazaki and single grain from Chita. All were distilled and filled to cask between 1979 and 1983.
The result is exquisite and features a combination of whiskies matured in American, Spanish and rare Japanese mizunara oak. Luscious notes of white peach, baked apple and manuka honey lead the way and are quickly joined by hints of butterscotch, clove and orange blossom.
The elegance and complexity are sublime. Late hints of raisin, dried apricot, cocoa powder and dusty baking spices add further depth.
Available at The Whisky Shop
Littlemill | 47 years old
If Littlemill were still in operation today, it would be the oldest distillery in Scotland. The Lowland distillery was founded in 1772 and operated until 1992, when it closed. A catastrophic fire in 2004 sealed its fate permanently, and it will never reopen. Therefore, stocks are dwindling with each new release, and the age of the maturing remaining casks is increasing. This has led to Littlemill becoming highly desirable and collectable.
This oldest-ever bottling forms part of the brand’s prestigious Vanguard Collection, which has been curated by Michael Henry, the Master Blender for Littlemill. He has selected from some of the rarest barrels, in this case ex-bourbon casks filled in October 1976.
Notes of vanilla toffee, hard caramel and ripe tropical fruit are joined by mocha, stewed pear and cinnamon.
Express your interest at Littlemill
Longmorn | 30 years old
The Longmorn distillery in Speyside, just south of Elgin, has a rich history. But for much of its life, it has been somewhat of a workhorse distillery, with its primary function to provide its characterful single malt to blending houses across Scotland. Only in recent years has any effort been made to establish Longmorn as a single malt brand. It has now truly arrived with the release of this oldest-ever bottling.
The Longmorn 30 years old will become a constant in the distillery’s recently revamped core range, joining the 18- and 22-year-old expressions. It will be released in a small batch annually.
Notes of caramel, honey and raspberry compote mingle with ripe plum, walnut and spiced apple. This is a classic long-aged Speyside that shows itself superbly after three decades of maturation in American oak ex-bourbon hogshead casks.
Available at The Whisky Exchange from mid-November
Mortlach | 50 years old
The Speyside distillery of Mortlach has long been regarded as a prestigious single malt, but this has been elevated further by the release of the brand’s first-ever 50-year-old. The whisky is taken from a single first-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrel and has been maturing at the distillery for over five decades. It was distilled through the original direct-fired stills, which have long been replaced, and filled to the cask in 1971.
The new whisky is the latest and final bottling in Mortlach’s super-premium Singing Stills collection. It has been hand-selected by Dr Craig Wilson, the Master Blender for brand owners Diageo.
The whisky exhibits a heady mix of hedgerow fruits, golden syrup and milk chocolate, which is married with drying wood spices, Brazil nuts and a pinch of cocoa powder. This is a whisky for the ages, but you will need very deep pockets.
Buy now at Justerini & Brooks
Stranahan’s | 12 years old
Stranahan’s distillery in Denver was the first in the American state of Colorado to make whiskey since before the Prohibition era. They took the bold step of turning their back on traditional American whiskey styles such as bourbon and rye and producing single malt instead. The founder’s love of Scotch was the driving force. They are now widely regarded as one of the pioneers of this ever-evolving category in the US.
Despite being established in 2004, this represents the first time they have released a 12-year-old expression. The single malt is made using Colorado barley and pristine water from the nearby Rocky Mountains. It has been matured in charred new American oak casks before a finishing period in ex-Port wine barrels from Portugal.
Expect notes of vanilla wafer, caramelised orange and fig with a hint of ginger and lemon.
See stockists at Stranahan’s
