One need not be introduced to the Prima & Ultima Collection of rare and collectible single vintage malts. The third installment, Prima & Ultima, is a collection of rare bottlings selected by Diageo Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson from some of Scotland’s finest distilleries, such as Brora, Port Ellen, and The Singleton. Wilson’s extensive knowledge of the region’s distilleries and casks makes this collection remarkable.
Only some people can match Dr. Wilson’s knowledge of single malts. Dr. Wilson is the third prominent Johnnie Walker Master Blender to curate an edition, following in the footsteps of Master Blender Maureen Robinson and Master Blender Dr. Jim Beveridge OBE.
After much deliberation, “I have hand-picked each whisky,” Dr. Wilson states. Every one of these whiskies is one of a kind, representing a pivotal moment in the life of their respective distilleries and a maturation process I’ve had the pleasure of seeing firsthand.
In keeping with tradition, each of this year’s eight new additions to the Prima & Ultima collection is derived only from barrels that are either the first or last of their type.
A 28-year-old Lagavulin from 1993, the last bottling of Talisker barrels from 1984, and the oldest whisky of Cragganmore’s eight most aged casks are just a few examples of the unusual whiskies have made their way into the collection.
After this third release, the total number of bottles in the Prima & Ultima Collection will be 24. This is an infrequent opportunity to own a magnificent Single Malts collection. The third edition of Prima & Ultima will be offered to the public in 2022, although only 317 sets will be sold. An individual set may be purchased for SGD57,950 (USD40,750).
Singaporean Garreth Anwar, co-founder of the Abbott Society, a group of friends who share a love of outstanding cuisine, travel, and whisky, has patiently waited for the third release. After securing the first two volumes of Prima & Ultima, Garreth is an established fan of the series. One of the things he likes most about this collection is the possibility of tasting and contrasting rare bottlings, including bottles produced in relatively small quantities by some of Scotland’s most renowned distilleries.
A Port Ellen was included in the first eight-bottle release of the Prima & Ultima Collection in 2020. Garreth exclaims, “Now that’s a bottle I’m looking forwards to trying. “Now, for the third release, we have a Port Ellen and bottlings from Brora and Royal Lochnagar, all highly sought-after whiskies.”
There are eight different single vintage malt bottlings in the Prima & Ultima collection, and each one comes with a 20ml sample for you to try.