Whisky Index : Vintages - year of distillation
Browse our whisky database by the whisky vintage. This is the year the whisk(e)y was distilled.
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1926
The Macallan 1926, 60 Years Old. A privilege to taste such an old whisky but I just cannot handle such woody astringency.
1937
The Macallan 1937, 36 Years Old. Blindfold, I am not sure I would not recognise this as a Macallan until that familiar finish.
1940
The Macallan 1940, 35 Years Old. Not quite the complexity of the 1946 and 1948. Oaky woodiness begins to intrude.
1943
Private Collection Glenlivet 1943. The Glenlivet is another whisky that I have encountered at great ages, often past their best. This s
1945
The Macallan 1945, 56 Years Old, Vintage. Very lively, but ill-tempered. I kept expecting it to propose the return of military service, or dem
1948
The Macallan 1948 Select Reserve. Paler in colour and lighter in body, but what a palate...great Speyside whiskies once tasted like th
1951
The Macallan 1951 Vintage. I am a great devotee of the older Macallans, but this one is too woody for me.
1955
Glenfarclas 1955. The russet colour promised something more luxurious, but this whisky is not as rich as it was.
1958
Highland Park 1958. Some drinkers might perfer this great whisky slightly younger and fresher. Those who like a touch of
1959
The Glenlivet 1959 Cellar Collection. Vivid descriptors, but the flavours are very restrained. A most elegant whisky.
1961
The Macallan 1961 Vintage. This one I loved. The flavours have melded beautifully, in what must have been an excellent cask.
1962
Glen Moray 1962, Ed Dodson's Last Manager's Choice. As appealing and intriguing as a cupboard full of granny's jams for a young pilferer (I was one!). Y
1963
Scott's Selection North of Scotland, 1963. Very rich for a grain whisky. Not much dimension. No flavour peaks.
1964
Girvan Single Grain 1964. I've always had a soft spot for this distillery's Black Barrel, and I like this version even more. N
1965
Kingsbury Glenturret 1965. Very much the house style. Has not gained, or lost, much by such a long maturation.
1966
Auchentoshan 1966, 31 Years Old. A fine whisky, but does something as fresh and soft benefit from quite so much ageing?
1971
Glen Moray 1971 Vintage. Glen Moray has never been seen as a glamorous malt, but it gains mystery with maturity.
1974
Rare Malts Glen Ord 1974, 23 Years Old. Far paler and less sherried than the main version from this distillery. I would like at least some s
1975
Ardbeg 1975. Ardbeg is one of my great favourites, and this is one of the best versions I have tasted recently.
1979
Murray McDavid Highland Park 1979. Very good indeed as a lightish, delicate, interpretation of Highland Park.
1980
Cadenhead's Bladnoch 1980, 17 Years Old. Slightly lean. Where is the fruity softness of Bladnoch?
1981
Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila 1981. A beautifully balanced, rounded, example of this distinctive malt.
1982
Mackillop's Choice Linlithgow 1982, Cask 1336. Very pungent and powerful for a Lowlander. Tending toward harshness. This seems typical of these las
1983
Signatory Millburn 1983. Confusing aroma, but otherwise the most enjoyable Millburn I have tasted.
1984
Cragganmore 1984 Distillers Edition, Ruby Port Finish, 12 Years Old. Connoisseurs might miss the austerity of the original – or enjoy the added layer of fruity, winey,
1986
Connoisseur's Choice Bladnoch 1986. The light touch of sherry helps bring out the soft, fruity, flavours.
1988
Aberlour 1988, Distiller's Selection. An astonishingly malty whisky. For someone who wants to taste the eponymous ingredient, this shows i
1989
Cadenhead's Rosebank 1989, 9 Years Old. All of the characteristic floweriness of Rosebank, but with some roundness.
1990
Murray McDavid Rosebank 1990, Sherry Cask. The flowery youth of the whisky and the freshness of the sherry cask achieve an interesting harmony.
1992
Springbank 1992, 7 Years Old, Da Mhile Organic. Lively and refreshing, but the flavours have not combined and fleshed out as probably they will in a
1993
Knappogue Castle 1993. The vinho verde colour suggests a very light whiskey, and this certainly is, in both body and flavou
1995
The Arran Malt First 1995, Limited Edition. The early releases were promising, and this one has matured well.
1996
Blackadder Arran 1996 Raw Cask. Slightly gin-like. I have preferred bottlings that had more contribution from the wood. A touch of v
1999
The Whisky Exchange Isle of Jura 1999, 5 Years Old. Why wasn't this done years ago? More please. Captivating.
2000
Glengoyne 2000 AD. Delicious example of maltiness in a whisky. I always enjoy Glengoynes very much, but they invariably
2001
Craigellachie Hotel Glenfarclas 2001 Single Cask Bottling. In each corner, a fighter rather than a boxer. Not much refinement, but plenty of punch.
2002
Craigellachie Hotel Glenlivet 2002 Single Cask Bottling. Very sherryish, but just enough of the Glenlivet's fruity-flowery character sings through. Beautiful
2004
The Arran Malt Machrie Moor,Peated 2nd Edition 2004. A moody offering from the Arran Distillery team.
2007
The Macallan Easter Elchies Seasonal Cask Selection Summer 2007. This is all about power, show and bravado and misses out on elegance depth and nuance. Some will lov
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