The GreatDrams Guide to The Best Old and Rare Bottles
If you’re familiar with what we do here at Great Drams, you’ll know that amongst the fantastic drams we offer, we stock a wide range of award-winning, rare, and limited-edition whiskies.
There’s just something about a rare or limited-edition whisky that seems to make it that little bit more special. Does it guarantee the whisky is going to taste superior? Of course not, but it certainly helps build the anticipation and boosts the enjoyment factor.
As you can probably tell, today I’m going to be talking about old, rare, and limited-edition whiskies. Specifically, I’ll be looking at some of the best old and rare bottles out there, if you know where to look.
Released in celebration of their 125th anniversary, this 25-year-old whisky was finished in Oloroso sherry casks, which helped to really enhance the fruity character and complexity of this gorgeous golden toffee coloured delight.
On the nose, you get rich heather honey, wild strawberries, leather armchair, and subtle spiced notes. There’s no sign of any harshness, despite its 46% ABV.
On the palate, those sherry influences really shine through. There’s a distinct flavour of dessert wine, dates, ripe grapes, strawberries, and tinned peaches and cream. The fruitiness subsides however, leaving malty, chocolate, caramel biscuit notes. Wow!
The finish is as smooth as you’d expect. It’s mellow, there’s a great mouthfeel, and you should pick up caramel and cinnamon with a touch of charred oak.
The second delight I have for you today is this exquisite drop from Royal Brackla.
This chocolate hazelnut brown coloured whisky is 46% ABV. It’s smooth, but it reminds you of what you’re drinking. It has been matured for 25 years in ex-bourbon casks, before being transferred to PX casks for finishing. The end result is a silky smooth delight that oozes luxury.
On the nose, ripe figs and raisins, and grapes dominate your senses. These gradually subside, making way for luxurious summer berries and sweet oak.
On the palate, those summer berries are present once more, accompanied by milk chocolate and caramel wafer. There’s toasted almond and tiramisu flavours here, as well as vanilla custard and orange blossom honey.
The finish is medium and velvet smooth. There’s a hint of oak, orchard fruits, and chocolate-coated figs and raisins.
When this whisky was first produced, The Spice Girls had just burst onto the scene, and everybody was talking about THAT Paul Gascoine goal for England, against Scotland at Euro 96. Bottled in 2018, it’s one of the best drams ever produced.
A stunning pale straw colour, and at 46.4% ABV, it’s not as harsh as some Ardbeg expressions. It is however, every bit as delicious.
On the nose, there are spicy, peppery notes, sweet pineapple, campfire smoke, tar, and even a scent of mint and basil.
On the palate tropical fruit flavours mingle with the smokiness from the peat. There’s a smoky, charred oak flavour here too, along with winter baking spices, orange zest, lime peel, and sea salted caramel.
The finish is drawn out and provides a definite throat warming. There’s a distinct smoke flavour here, along with menthol and caramelized pineapple and honey. Very nice indeed!
GreatDrams Invergordon 20 Year Old
Not to toot our own horn here, but we have to say, the Great Drams 20 Year Old Invergordon is one of the finest drops we’ve ever released.
Sherry-cask matured, it’s a wonderful chestnut brown colour, and at 48.2% ABV it’ll certainly give you a wee glow.
On the nose there are aromas of ripe plums, figs, honey, and bonfire smoke, all tied together with sweet vanilla.
On the palate, expect a definite sweetness, with strong tastes of caramel fudge, toffee, autumn fruits, and sticky toffee and date pudding.
The finish is long and warming. There’s a distinct fruitiness from the sherry cask influence, with undertones of smoked oak. This one really is special to us.
Dewar’s 21 Year Old Magma French Oak
Stone-toasted with Icelandic Magma stones, before being finished in exquisite French oak casks, this ‘double double’ blended Scotch whisky is something every whisky fan should try at some point! As it’s rare, that is of course going to be difficult.
At 46% ABV, and with a shimmering copper colour, it’s a dram you’ll find hard to leave at just one glass.
On the nose, expect crisp apple and honey aromas, winter baking spices, and milky breakfast cereal. There’s a touch of heather here as well.
On the palate, strong tastes of caramel and honey are the most obvious, along with poached pears, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and toasted buttery oats. There is a suggestion of oak here thanks to the French oak casks as well.
The finish is medium. There are summer fruits, salted caramel, and more lightly smoked, spicy oak thanks to the stone-toasting
Finally, I have an Irish whiskey for you, and what a cracker this one is.
Aged for 18 years in a combo of ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, cream sherry, and ruby port casks, this single-pot still whiskey is dangerously smooth, especially considering its 46% ABV strength.
On the nose, the amber-coloured delight provides aromas of summer berries, sticky dates drizzled in honey, candied orange segments, red berries, and touch of vanilla.
On the palate, strong flavours of cherry, dates, berries, and candied walnut come through. These make way for impressive layers of toffee apple, honey, blackberries, and stewed plums. There’s also a distinct oakiness here.
The finish is lengthy and smooth as silk thanks to the tannic oak notes. There’s a distinct taste of marzipan, summer berry compote, and a pinch of spice.
Greg
You might be interested in
More from the blog
Follow greatdrams
latest articles
Latest whisky
exclusively from GreatDrams
