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Happy Whisk(e)y Weekly Douglas! -

As I shared last week, we are in the midst of "limited release" season in the whisk(e)y world, and this week is no exception.

Below you will find exceptional and extremely limited releases from Diageo's portfolio of some of the most heralded and in-demand Scotch Whisky distillers, as well "found inventory" for one of the most in-demand annual releases from High West.

If you are a serious collector of the finest, rarest single malt whiskeys, then you want to read below and ACT FAST...because once they're gone...

And remember: Happiness is having a rare steak, a bottle of whisky, and a dog to eat the rare steak. - Johnny Carson

As always, I wish you the best of spirits!

Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com / ForTequilaLovers.com

Diageo Prima & Ultima Series

Fourth Release

The collections in the Prima & Ultima series together make a living archive of the most outstanding whisky from the most hallowed distilleries, the first and last of their kind.

This is the ultimate library of rare whiskies. These are fleeting instances captured in a bottle, where rich history, personal stories and exceptionally rare whisky converge to bring us these ephemeral first and last moments.

Each with its own story, every new bottling added to your library brings a new lens to your collection, adding another book on the shelf of incredible whisky selections for you to cherish and enjoy on that "special occasion".

Port Ellen 1978 43 Year Old

Single Malt Whiskey

This Port Ellen 1978 comes from the last four remaining American oak hogsheads in Diageo’s inventory from this year.

Characteristics of this Port Ellen 1978:

ABV: 53.4%

When was the whisky bottled: 17th October 2022

Casks used for the maturation: 3 Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Bottles available to purchase: 48 US/413 Worldwide

What makes this whisky a 'last': It is the last ever 1978 Hogshead from Port Ellen

Why was this bottle chosen as part of the fourth release of Prima & Ultima: This 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 lain 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.

Dr Emma Walker's (Master Blender) thoughts on this bottling: "I love Port Ellen; with unusual maritime aromas, a peaty coal-tar smokiness. and a clear minerality it has a unique character among Islay malts."

Brora 1977 45 Year Old

Single Malt Whisky

This Brora 1977 comes from the final remaining American oak hogshead from the last distillation of 1977, the year that marked the end of an era known as the distillery’s Age of Peat.

Characteristics of this Brora 1977:

ABV: 48.2%

When was the whisky bottled: 3rd November 2022

Casks used for the maturation: 3 Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Bottles available to purchase: 78 Bottles US / 794 worldwide

What makes this whisky a 'last': This 1977 Brora represents the last hogsheads from the last distillation in 1977

Reason this bottle was chosen as part of the fourth release of Prima & Ultima: This Brora is an 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 amber-hued legend is rich and tempting, complex and rewarding on the nose and palate with a unique 'sweet peat' character.

Dr Emma Walker's (Master Blender) thoughts on this bottling: "It is wonderful when a dream comes true in real life. For all my life in whisky. one of my dreams has been to craft a special 1977 Brora."

Talisker 1976 46 Year

Old Single Malt Whisky

This Talisker 1976 is Diageo’s oldest-ever release from this distillery, matured in an American oak hogshead and rested in a single puncheon before bottling.

Special Characteristics of this Talisker 1976:

ABV?: 50.9% ABV

When was the whisky bottled?: 17th December 2022

Casks used for maturation?: A blend of 3 Refill American Oak Hogsheads and European Oak Butts. married in European Oak Puncheons

Bottles available to purchase?: 78 Bottles US / 771 Worldwide

What makes this whisky a "first"?: It is the first ever 46-Year-Old Talisker, the distillery's oldest release to date

Reason this bottle was chosen as part of the fourth release of Prima & Ultima: In 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.

Dr Emma Walker's (Master Blender) thoughts on this bottling?: "I love the character of older Taliskers, time brings oxidation, fruit concentration, deeper spice, softer smoke and integrated flavours"

Lagavulin 1997 25 Year

Old Single Malt Whisky

This Lagavulin 1997 was matured in refill American oak filled during the tenure of distillery manager Mike Nicolson.

Special Characteristics of this Lagavulin 1977:

ABV: 50.7% ABV

When was the whisky bottled: 25th February 2022

Casks used for the maturation: 3 refill American Oak Hogsheads

Bottles available to purchase: 66 Bottles US / 625 worldwide

What makes this whisky a "last": This is a cherished Lagavulin, from the distillery's last 1997 casks, "winter whisky' distilled on February 25th.

Why was this bottle chosen as part of the fourth release of Prima & Ultima: The 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.

Dr Emma Walker's (Master Blender) thoughts on this bottling: "The very first malf whisky she tried was a Lagavulin and its spectacular qualities enticed her to enter the world of whisky."

The Singleton of Dufftown 1985

37 Year Old

This Singleton of Dufftown 1985 was matured in American oak hogsheads originally earmarked for blending, but discovered during the acquisition of a warehouse where the casks would have otherwise been taken away for a blend, these are 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.

Bottles available to purchase: 48 Bottles US / 511 Worldwide

Oban 1996

26 Year Old

Single Malt Whisky

This Oban 1996 marks the distillery’s first appearance in the series, and was matured in refill European oak, a rarity for this distillery. This is the last-ever 1996 Oban. It is from a refill European Oak which is rarely used at Oban giving it a unique maritime character.

Rarely seen at Oban, the refill European oak delivers a distinctively dry coastal slant to both aroma and taste and hosts a lively peppery spiciness.

This special bottling comes from a team who won the highly competitive internal Manager Dram competition a record three times.

Bottles available to purchase: 66 Bottles US / 428 Worldwide

Clynelish 1966

26 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Clynelish 1996 comes from two experimental Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry-seasoned European oak butts.

They are the first and last of their kind from 1996 and are therefore incredibly rare. 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.

Bottles available to purchase: 78 Bottles US / 889 worldwide

Pittyvaich 1992

30 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

This Pittyvaich 1992 is the final Pittyvaich 30 year old and comes from the last Pedro Ximénez/oloroso butts filled the year before the distillery closed.

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.

Bottles available to purchase: 78 Bottles US / 609 Worldwide

Puncher's Chance The Unified Belt

Irish & American Whiskey Blend

Puncher’s Chance The Unified Belt is a limited-release, three-cask blend of two fine bourbons and an exceptional Irish Single Malt Whiskey.

First into the ring is a four-year-old high-rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon aged in #4 alligator char barrels.
Next is a four-year-old Irish Single Malt Whiskey aged in former bourbon barrels in Ireland.
Finally, a fourteen-year-old bourbon finished in first-fill Pedro Ximenex and Oloroso Sherry casks.

At the ring of the bell, The Unified Belt enters with dark fruit, orchard fruit and cocoa — perfectly balanced with layers of warm oak and baking spice. Its finish is long and strong with hints of vanilla and baked green apples.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: the sherry casks really shine through. Loads of chocolate fudge.

Palate: Soft spice up front followed by butterscotch and more chocolate

Finish: gentle, lingering & warming

NOTE: This is a PRE-SALE, with orders shipping in early November

St George Baller

American Single Malt Whiskey

“A California take on the Japanese spin on Scotch whisky,” says St. George master distiller Lance Winters of this big, smoky single malt.

Crafted in California, St George Baller American Single Malt is inspired by Japanese whiskey and finished in house-made umeshu finishing casks (casks that previously held Japanese Plum Liqueur). Enjoy notes of crisp malt, delicate maple charcoal smoke, and tropical sherry flavors.

The label re-imagines the legend of St. George as a samurai. The original watercolor on the front label is by Oakland artist Sylvia Solochek Walters, done to emulate woodcut. The calligraphy was done by Eri Takase of Takase Studios. Master distiller Lance Winters did the art direction, and also designed the chop for the back label, which Master Takase then rendered in ink brush.

Tasting Notes:

Color: a light golden straw tone in the glass, a warm and buttery yellow.

Aroma: Malty and grain-forward at first, opening quickly and with considerable intensity. Some funkiness and fruit expands into warm beer mash, old school cherry and cream sodas, root beer barrel candy, and charred fruit. The front end of the nosing experience smells just like a candy store burning down. After opening, salted pickled plums (umeboshi), brine, and char come together more coherently. The nose becomes driven by umami and beach campfire.

Palate: The first impression on the palate is summer BBQ realness, with warm malty beer and relish-covered potato chips. Hot soda and barbecue Lays come next. Dried seaweed, sweet rice crackers, and warm root beer transition the palate from sweet and salty to umami. Brine, pickle, smoke, sugar, and salt make for an incredibly complex flavor profile.

Finish: A lingering, bread-y sweetness on the finish melds with light funkiness and smoke.

Wiggly Bridge Bottled in Bond Bourbon

Produced with the same mash bill as the distillery's Small Barrel Bourbon (57% corn, 38% rye, 5% Malted Barley),

Wiggly Bridge Bottled in Bond Bourbon was aged in 53 gallon barrels in a federally bonded warehouse, under U.S. government supervision, and is bottled at 100 proof/ 50% abv.

Wiggly Bridge Bottled in Bond Tasting Notes:

Color: Burnt Amber

Mouthfeel: Smooth and balanced

Palate: sweet notes of caramel, clove, dried fruit, lite oak and barrel char.

Finish: Stately finish that is very long lasting

Booker’s Mighty Fine Batch 2023-03

The third release of the Booker's® Bourbon 2023 Collection is Booker's Batch 2023-03 "Mighty Fine Batch." This batch is named in honor of the signature phrase my dad, Booker Noe, used to compliment anything he approved of - from his namesake bourbon to his country ham.

- Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller

Booker’s Mighty Fine Batch Tasting Notes:

Color: Our darkest and deepest amber and henna color.

Aroma: Robust vanilla and caramel notes; slightly smoky.

Palate: Deep and complex flavors of vanilla, nuts and oak.

Finish: Long and full; perfect for easygoing sipping