Diageo has unveiled a new series of collectable single malt Scotch whiskies: the Prima & Ultima Whisky Collection. The eight bottles of Whisky that make up the collection are worth a staggering £20,000 ($24,600 USD).
Prima & Ultima means the “first and last,” and the collection comprises casks chosen from various Diageo distilleries, including Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Mortlach, Port Ellen, and the Singleton of Dufftown. Whisky maker Dr. Jim Beveridge OBE chose the eight single vintage malts that make up the new series’ first range.
“Over the past 40 years I have worked intimately with our distilleries across Scotland and I’ve been fortunate enough to witness great change in the whisky industry,” said Beveridge. “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.”
Round one of the Prima & Ultima Whisky Collection includes:
- Caol Ila 1984 (35 years old, 50.8% ABV, aged in a refill European oak butt, 499 bottles)
- Clynelish 1993 (26 years old, 49.8% ABV, aged in refill American oak casks, 941 bottles)
- Cragganmore 1971 (48 years old, 43.7% ABV, aged in a first-fill ex-Sherry butt, 352 bottles)
- Lagavulin 1991 (28 years old, 50.1% ABV, aged in refill American oak casks, 1,013 bottles)
- Mortlach 1994 (25 years old, 55.1% ABV, aged in a first-fill Pedro Ximénez cask and oloroso-seasoned European oak butt, 389 bottles)
- Port Ellen 1979 (40 years old, 51.2% ABV, aged in a refill European oak butt, 436 bottles)
- Singleton of Dufftown 1988 (30 years old, 48.8% ABV, aged in refill American oak casks, 469 bottles)
- Talisker 1988 (31 years old, 51.4% ABV, aged in refill American oak casks, 721 bottles)
Only 238 complete sets are available and will be released via an online registration beginning July 22, 2020. Visit the official website to sign up.
The first set of the series will be auctioned off for charity via Sotheby’s and will feature Beveridge’s signature on each bottle. The auction will run online from August 26 through September 2.
