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Talisker’s oldest whisky joins Prima & Ultima line
Diageo has introduced the fourth release of its rare single malt Scotch whisky series, Prima & Ultima, which includes a 46-year-old Talisker.
Originally launched in June 2020, the bottles in the collectable series are prized for their ‘exceptional’ qualities and for being drawn from casks that are the first and last of their kind.
Dr Emma Walker, master blender, was tasked with curating the eight whiskies for the new release.
Walker said: “Each of these whiskies have been watched, influenced and marked as outstanding.
“As well as being exceptional, these rare whiskies were each distilled during a specific, unrepeatable moment of note or change at each of the eight iconic distilleries.”
“In curating this release I’ve drawn whiskies that not only are noteworthy in whisky history, but also have a personal connection to myself.”
Among her picks – plucked from Diageo’s top reserves – feature Talisker Distillery’s oldest whisky, a 46-year-old; an ‘experimental’ 1996 single malt from Clynelish; and a Lagavulin from 1997, which is remarked for being the Islay distillery’s ‘golden year’.
There’s also bottlings from Brora and Port Ellen, two revived ghost distilleries. The Port Ellen whisky was matured in the brand’s final 1978 American oak hogsheads, while the Brora bottling uses 1977 American oak hogsheads.
Walker commented: ”It has also been one of my dreams to craft a special 1977 Brora and I am so pleased that this release has seen this realised.”
Additionally, Oban Distillery makes its first appearance in the Prima & Ultima collection. Walker choose the last Oban casks from 1996, selected for its coastal character – said to be an unusual characteristic for the distillery.
The Singleton of Dufftown 1985 and a Pittyvaich 1992 cap off the collection.
There are 413 full sets of Prima & Ultima Fourth Release available for purchase, which each retail for £45,580 (US$56,846), including tax and duty, in the UK.
In other recent whisky news, Diageo donated a 50-year-old Brora single malt to the Distillers One of One charity auction