Diageo has unveiled the fourth release of Prima & Ultima, and for the first time ever, the collection of vintage Single Malt Scotch Whiskies is available to collectors in the United States, both as individual bottles and as a complete set.

This release, which comprises first and last bottlings of their kind, tells the story of a never-to-be-repeated moment in time, captured in liquid form, from the last fifty years of Scotch whisky making.

The fourth release of the Prima & Ultima collection is made up of eight vintage Single Malt Scotch Whiskies personally selected by Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker and bottled at natural cask strength, non-chill filtered, and with no color added.

Brora 1977
45 Year Old | 48.2% ABV
Cask: American Oak Hogshead
Bottled: November 3, 2022
Number of Bottles: 794 (700 mL)
SRP: $14,500 USD

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% ABV
Cask: Pedro Ximénez/Oloroso European Oak
Bottled: November 29, 2022
Number of Bottles: 889 (700 mL)
SRP: $1,400 USD

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
Cask: Refill American Oak
Bottled: February 25, 2022
Number of Bottles: 625 (700 mL)
SRP: $2,300 USD

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
Cask: Experimental Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso-seasoned European Oak
Bottled: February 20, 2022
Number of Bottles: 609 (700 mL)
SRP: $1,200 USD

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
Cask: European Oak
Bottled: July 19, 2022
Number of Bottles: 428 (700 mL)
SRP: $1,900 USD

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
Cask: American Oak Hogshead
Bottled: October 17, 2022
Number of Bottles: 413 (700 mL)
SRP: $14,500 USD

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
Cask: American Oak, Hogshead
Bottled: January 21, 2022
Number of Bottles: 511 (700 mL)
SRP: $2,400 USD

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
Cask: American Oak Hogshead, rested in Puncheon
Bottled: December 17, 2022
Number of Bottles: 771 (700 mL)
SRP: $5,800 USD

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.

Only 413 Prima & Ultima Fourth Release full sets are available worldwide. The recommended retail price for the full set is $44,000 USD. When purchasers buy the complete set, they’ll also receive a miniature set of each whisky.

To register for the opportunity to purchase the fourth release of the Prima & Ultima collection, visit theprimaandultimacollection.com and complete the registration form before October 11, 2023 at 15:00 BST. From there, a Prima & Ultima agent will reach out to coordinate purchase.

Source: Diageo.