Whiskies that are worth the journey

Published: 01/02/2006 - Filed under: Archive » 2006 » February 2006 » Lifestyle » Features » Special Reports »

Print
Send

These rare drams, desirable for collectors and investors, are available in duty-free, though stocks are extremely limited and availability is likely to be restricted to major international hub airports worldwide. Happy hunting.

Glenury Royal

36 Year Old

This is one for the serious collector. Mothballed since 1985, Glenury Royal will be appreciated by those who like their whisky dry and smoky.

Glenury 36 Year Old has been matured in American oak casks and bottled at cask strength. Only 2,100 bottles have been released, each one with its own hand-finished decanter.

Price £495.

Brechin

28 Year Old

Another rare bottling likely to appeal to collectors and investors more than curious whisky drinkers, this 28-year-old whisky comes from the closed Eastern Highland distillery of Brechin. A supermarket has been built on the distillery site today so there is no chance of a revival (which some experts probably think is just as well). Just 2,000 bottles have been made available.

Price £125.

Port Ellen

25 Year Old

For those in the know, Port Ellen is unmistakably an Islay whisky; its peat-smoke, moss and iodine flavours shout of that rugged, windswept island. The distillery closed in 1983, despite boasting a history stretching back to 1821. A total of 5,280 bottles of this new 25-year-old reference should appease fans.

Price £120.

Convalmore

28 Year Old

Convalmore, which became inactive in 1985, is a medium-bodied Speyside malt with a spicy finish. Priced at an attractive £95, considering its rarity, this whisky would make a fantastic after-dinner malt for a special occasion. Availability is limited to 3,900 bottles.

Price £95.

For more on Diageo, visit diageospirit.com.