25 Year Old Whisky

Please welcome the 2011 entry into the ranks of superb Talisker 25 year olds. Where previous version of Tally 25yo have been released at fullstrength, 2011's edition is the first to be bottled from refill casks at Talisker's traditional strength of 45.8% (80 proof) with a slightly larger outturn than usual to let more people join in on the fun.

A long-aged distillery-bottled Bowmore, a large proportion of the casks used to assemble this 25yo are ex-sherry, giving sweetness and depth to this complex, fruity Islay malt.

Scapa 1980 is a belter of a malt from a distillery frequently overlooked in favour of its more famous Orcadian neighbour, Highland Park. Well-presented and bottled at natural cask strength for added oomph.

A very rare distillery-bottled Deanston 25yo, probably bottled in the 1990s. Until recently little was seen of Deanston, as most of its output goes into the Scottish Leader blend.

The third edition in Bruichladdich's DNA series, examining the component parts that make the distillery's whiskies tick. This one marries together some of their best casks of the 1980s - their final batch of sherry butts. Bottled at cask strength and limited to only 1665 bottles, this is one for all fans and collectors of Bruichladdich.

Rounded and luxurious, Glenmorangie 25 yo has some lovely floral and citrus flavours alongside the spices and toasty sweetness one would expect from a quarter century in the wood. A brilliantly-made dram that lives up to the luxury image LVMH are pushing for the brand.

A blast of real quality from a fantastic distillery, bottled at a take-no-prisoners strength. A mix of American and European Oak refill casks, with concentrated peat and the characteristic Caol Ila oiliness, this is a real treat for the Islayphile in your life.

A 25 year old edition of Cameron Brig, bottled in 1999 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of John Haig receiving his first licence to distill. Cameron Brid is the single grain whisky produced at Cameronbridge distillery.

A 25 year old whisky from Caol Ila: Distilled on September 20th 1976 and bottled from cask 8086 on September 25th 2001 by Signatory.

A 1987 vintage single cask whisky from Bowmore on Islay, bottled at 25 years old in April 2012 by the folks at Douglas Laing as part of their Old & Rare Platinum Selection.

The cask strength bottling of Laphroaig 25yo is a very different beast to the old 25yo (and in our opinion, upping the strength is a big improvement). Rich and smouldering, with a big coal hit and a lingering seaweed character. We said at the time that this was tremendous stuff, and now it's only gone and won the IWSC Trophy for Best Cask Strength Single Malt.

A rare bottling of 25 year old single grain whisky from the Cameron Bridge (aka Cameron Brig) distillery in celebration of '300 years at the Brig' - the bridge itself was opened in 1705.

A single malt whisky matured at a mystery distillery and specially selected by Gordon & Macphail. This is a marriage of two casks which were distilled in 1967 and aged for atleast 25 years. This whisky was matured in port casks and bottled at a tame 40% in March 1993.

A rare 25 year old whisky from Glen Mhor by independent bottler Campbell & Clark. The distillery closed down in 1983 and has since been demolished, and there aren't all that many casks remaining.

A new single cask Port Ellen 1983 from McGibbon's Provenance(aka Douglas Laing).

A 1975 vintage whisky from Linlithgow distillery, also known as St. Magdalene distillery. This whisky has been matured in a single oak cask for 25 years, and has been bottled at cask strength. Bottled by Signatory in September 2000.

A 25 year old bottling of Aberfeldy, distilled back in the days when they were owned by Diageo. Presented in a dark wooden box.

A very special bottling of 25yo Glen Grant bottled for the wedding of Charles & Di in 1981. A quality aged Speyside from one of the classic distilleries.

A bottling of 25 year old Bowmore introduced in the early years of the 21st century. Big, fruity and rich with smoke.