Diageo Prima and Ultima

Every bottle of whisky tells a story: whether it’s the craft of artisans decades past; or the changing characteristics of a distillery. Now, Diageo has released a single malt Scotch collection documenting vintage bottles that tell of momentous occasions of the developments in a particular distillery. Named Prima & Ultima, the cask-strength collection features eight expressions, each marking a point where their distilleries started or ended a particular process.

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The collection has been curated by Dr Jim Beveridge, master blender for Johnnie Walker — the sixth in the brand’s 200-year history — and one of the Scotch world’s most prolific figures. Says Beveridge, ‘Over the past forty years I have worked intimately with our distilleries across Scotland and I’ve been fortunate enough to witness great change in the whisky industry. Each of the eight whiskies I’ve selected for Prima & Ultima tells a tale of heritage and craftsmanship and I’ve chosen them from distillers of great personal importance to me.’

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Included in the set is liquid from the very last cask of Cragganmore produced with coal-fired stills – a practice that ended in 1971 – as well as a 26-year-old Clynelish from 1993, one of the first casks filled after the Highland distillery understood and perfected the “mysterious waxiness of Clynelish” – a quality much appreciated by fans of the distillery.

For those whose tastes lean bold, there is also a 25-year-old from Dufftown distillery Mortlach. This particular expression is one of the last of the casks of whisky aged in first-fill Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso seasoned oak butt casks, giving the spirit its robust characteristics. There’s also a 40-year-old whisky from legendary (and slated to re-open) distillery Port Ellen in all its saline, peaty, sweet glory.

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Each of the 239 sets comes with its own limited-edition book featuring personal stories from Dr. Beveridge, and a 20ml sample of each whisky so collectors taste their collection while all eight bottles can sit untouched in the cellar.

Queries at PrivateClientSG@Diageo.com