In pictures: The oldest, rarest and most intriguing bottles from the Old & Rare whisky show Glasgow

One of the world's most unique whisky events rolled into Glasgow last month giving drinks fans the chance to try some incredibly rare whiskies by the dram.

Published 5th Mar 2019
Updated 21 st Sep 2023

With over 600 whiskies available over two sessions on the 23rd and 24th of February, 600 people descended upon the Grand Central Hotel in the city centre to attend the Old & Rare Whisky Show and taste a selection of whiskies from the incredible collection.

Old & Rare Whisky Show

Billy Abbott of The Whisky Exchange pours a dram. Picture: Old & Rare Whisky Show

The brainchild of the team behind the Whisky Exchange and whisky experts Angus MacRaild and Jonny McMillan, the show first launched in 2017 and has continued to grow in popularity since then.

Organiser Angus who was in attendance said: “Whiskies distilled and bottled several decades ago display a different character to modern whiskies because the methods of production – and often the ingredients used – were notably different to today’s whisky making practices.

“These kinds of old and rare bottlings represent what is popularly termed ‘old style’ whisky. For enthusiasts, these bottlings are more characterful and display more personality and individuality than their modern counterparts.

“For drinkers and collectors alike these bottlings represent liquid time capsules, drinkable history that offers a window onto the past; how whisky used to be produced and the character of the people that made these whiskies. The Whisky Show Old & Rare offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to try these incredible spirits in the company of like-minded enthusiasts and world class experts on old and rare whiskies. ”

Nearly 30 drams were available for just £2 per 1cl and 13 drams priced £100 or more for 1cl, showing that no matter your budget, the show offers a great opportunity to try a variety of old and rare whiskies.

In terms of exhibitors, the event saw some of the world's greatest whisky collectors, enthusiasts, whisky bars, auction houses and independent bottlers, allowing people access to their own private collections.

Exhibitors included The Auld Alliance, one of the best whisky bars in the world based in Singapore; movie producer Hideo Yamaoka, who famously needs two apartments in Tokyo – one for his family and one for his whisky collection; famous Scottish whisky bar The Fiddlers, in Drumnadrochit; and the Thompson Bros., of Dornoch Castle Whisky Bar and Distillery fame.

Here are some of the amazing bottles on offer at the Old & Rare Whisky Show.

The Old & Rare Whisky Show

Laphroaig

The incredibly popular bottle of the non-peaty Laphroaig. Picture: TSPL

Glenfarclas

This 7-year-old Glenfarclas (£5).

Dewars

The US White Label from 1910.

Macallan

This 1940 Macallan was available for £200 per dram.

Ardbeg

175 bottles of The Single Malts of Scotland Director’s Special Ardbeg 25 Year Old were made available especially for the show.

Haynes

This Haynes whiskey was bottled in the 1900s and was available for £25 a dram.

Johnnie Walker

This Johnnie Walker Red Label was bottled in the 1950s for £3 a dram.

 

9 of the most expensive and rare drams available in Scottish bars - including £8000 Macallan and 1979 Port Ellen

This Johnnie Walker bottle from 1910 was headed for the Diageo Archive after the show.

Haig Pure Malt

This Haig Pure Malt was bottled in the 1890s

Shyte Whisky

The Shyte whisky bottled by Charlie MacLean for the Shyte Shirts brand.

Springbank

This Springbank 30 from the 1960s was bottled for the Japanese market.

Teachers

This Teachers Blend was bottled in the 1920s.

Glen Lochy

This bottling from the now closed Glen Lochy distillery was produced in 1967.

Karuizawa

This Karuizawa was bottled in 1983.

The Warrior Collection

The incredible looking Warrior collection was bottled for Taiwan.

 

Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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