1. CAMBUS 40-YEAR-OLD 1975

Distilled in 1975 and bottled as part of Diageo’s Special Releases in 2016, this lowland whisky is a 52.7% single grain.

The Cambus distillery operated from 1836 until 1993 when it was closed permanently. While it was a sad end for the distillery, it makes this bottle even more interesting as it can not be repeated. 

2. BENRINNES OLD & RARE HERITAGE 40

Another excellent entry in the Hunter Laing Old & Rare collection, and also from Speyside, is this 42.1% single malt. There were just 208 bottles of this 40-year-old whisky released so it will a great entry in a new or growing collection.

Benrinnes is a distillery that has been hit by tragedy more than once. It’s been flooded, rebuilt, burned down, rebuilt, made bankrupt and had its traditional malting floors and triple distilling operation closed. Yet it’s still here – just like us. Definitely one for the underdog.

3. BALMENACH 40-YEAR-OLD

Just 174 bottles of this rare Balmenach Scotch were produced.

Distilled for four decades at Balmenach’s distillery in Speyside, it was bottled by the renowned independent bottling company Hunter Laing, as part of their Old & Rare collection. The Glasgow-based bottlers released this limited edition at 45.4% in 2019.

4. GLENFARCLAS 40-YEAR-OLD

Fans claim that this 43% single malt is one of the best from the Speyside distillery of Glenfarclas. The distillery produces a Highland whisky with strong sherry influence. It was the first to open a proper visitor centre in the 1970s, so is considered the original welcoming operation.

Its large red doors have become part of the landscape and the same style of red wood is used in the packaging of this attractive bottle. 

5. CAOL ILA 40-YEAR-OLD XOP BLACK 

Independent bottler, Douglas Laing, chose this 40-Year-Old from Islay’s Caol Ila distillery for its Xtra Old Particular series. There were just 206 bottles of this cask strength 54.6% single malt 40-year-old whisky released.

Caol Ila distillery sits overlooking the strait separating the islands of Islay and Jura and is known for its lighter and more floral Islay whisky. This bottle spent its 40 years maturing in refill hogshead.

6. CAOL ILA KINSHIP 40-YEAR-OLD 

This particular bottle is distinguished by the fact that it was released by Hunter Laing to mark the opening of its own distillery, Ardnahoe, on Islay.

Handpicked by the team at Hunter Laing, it as designed to set a standard for what the new distillery will produce. It spent its time on Islay maturing in refill hogshead and strikes a strong vanilla and spicy oak character. There were just 371 bottles of this 40-year-old whisky released.

7. FETTERCAIRN 40-YEAR-OLD

Fettercairn is a Highland whisky distillery that sits proudly under the Grampian hills. It’s one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and was founded in 1824 on the estate on which it still sits.

This 40% single malt was finished in Gonzales Byass Apostales Paolo Cortado sherry casks, creating a complex and characterful whisky. It’s part of Fettercairn’s Rare Vintage Series, the oldest of which is 50-Years-Old so this whisky is perfect for that 40-year-old aiming to stay young.

8. DALMORE 40-YEAR-OLD

This is one of the few mixed-cask bottles in this selection. Originally matured in ex-bourbon casks it was transferred into Oloroso sherry casks giving it a rich, decadent character.

It’s considered to be an outstanding release from Dalmore, the renowned distillery set deep in the northern Highlands of Scotland. Dalmore produce distinguished whiskies that dominate the category and this bottling, released at 42% stands apart as a whisky of great confidence. 

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