Registration is now open for collectors around the world for the fourth release of Prima & Ultima, an anthology of rare and collectible vintage Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from Diageo.
Described as being “hand-selected from some of the finest distilleries in Scotland,” this fourth release comprises eight bottlings and, for the first time ever, the full suite of Prima & Ultima is available to collectors in the United States, both as individual bottles or in a set of all eight liquids..
“It is a privilege to introduce the fourth release of Prima & Ultima which I have personally selected from Scotland’s reserves of exceptionally aged Single Malt Scotch Whisky,” said Diageo Master Blender, Dr. Emma Walker, in a prepared statement. “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 in the histories of 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. For instance, the very first Single Malt Scotch Whisky I tried was a Lagavulin, and it was its spectacular qualities that enticed me to enter the whisky world.”
Only 413 Prima & Ultima Fourth Release full sets are available worldwide. The recommended retail selling price for the fourth release of Prima & Ultima is $44,000 in the U.S. for the full set, and when purchasers buy the complete set they’ll receive an additional miniature set of each liquid.
An online registration page is open through October 11, 2023 at www.theprimaandultimacollection.com for whisky collectors to register their interest, and from there a Prima & Ultima “agent” will reach out to coordinate purchase of these releases. For more information about DIAGEO Rare and Exceptional releases, follow @diageorareandexceptional on Instagram to learn more.
More official details on each are below from Diageo.
Brora 1977
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- 45 Year Old | 48.2% ABV
- SRP: $14,500 USD
- Bottled: November 3, 2022 | Brora, Highlands
- Cask:American Oak Hogshead
- Number Bottled: 794
An unrepeatable gem from the last hogsheads filled in the last distillation of 1977 on December 15 of that year. Marking the end of the era known as the ‘Age of Peat,’ this feal amber-hued legend is rich and tempting, complex and rewarding on the nose and palate with a unique ‘sweet peat’ character.
Clynelish 1996
- 26 Year Old | 52%A BV
- SRP: $1,400 USD
- Bottled: November 29, 2022 | Brora, Highlands
- Cask: Pedro Ximénez/Oloroso European Oak
- Number Bottled: 889
A first and last of the kind, 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.
Lagavulin 1997
- 25-Year-Old | 50.7% ABV
- SRP: $2,300 USD
- Bottled: February 25, 2022 | Port Ellen, Isle
- Cask: Refill American Oak
- Number Bottled: 625
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.
Pittyvaich 1992
- 30 Year Old | 55.5% ABV
- SRP: $1,200 USD
- Bottled: February 20, 2022 | Dufftown, Speyside
- Cask: Experimental Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso-seasoned European Oak
- Number Bottled: 609
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.
Oban 1996
- 26 Year Old | 55.2% ABV
- SRP: $1,900 USD
- Bottled: July 19, 2022 | Oban, Highlands
- Cask: European Oak
- Number Bottled: 428
The very last 1996 Oban is highly unusual yet delicious with a firmer backbone than is usual for this distillery, making the first appearance of Oban in the Primar & Ultima Collection. Rarely seen at Oban, the refill European Oak delivers a distinctively dry maritime slant to both aroma and taste and hosts a lively peppery spiciness.
Port Ellen 1978
- 43 Year Old | 53.4% ABV
- SRP: $14,500 USD
- Bottled: October 17, 2022 | Port Ellen, Isle of Islay
- Cask: American Oak Hogshead
- Number Bottled: 413
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 warehouseman Iain 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.
The Singleton of Dufftown 1985
- 37 Year Old | 47.7% ABV
- SRP: $2,400 USD
- Bottled: January 21, 2022 | Dufftown, Speyside
- Cask: American Oak, Hogshead
- Number Bottled: 511
Casks which would have otherwise been used as part of a blend were rediscovered during the acquisition of a warehouse. The result is a 37 Year Old masterpiece from the last The Singleton of Dufftown 1985 casks. Slow crafting is the key to The Singleton depth of flavor, and this elegant expression is no exception, with a fruity nose and lightly oily smooth texture formed by patient years in cask.
Talisker 1976
- 46 Year Old | 50.9% ABV
- SRP: $5,800 USD
- Bottled: December 17, 2022 | Carbost, Isle of Skye
- Cask: American Oak Hogshead, rested in Puncheon
- Number Bottled: 771
In 1976, Scotland basked in a once in a lifetime heatwave which made the stills run hot, increasing copper contact to create this highly unusual Talisker. Standing as the oldest-ever release from Talisker, this 46 Year Old Whisky was rested in a single puncheon, imbuing further complexity within this exceptionally rare malt.
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