The registration is now closed for the second release of Prima & Ultima, Diageo’s series of exquisite, incredibly rare Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. An unequalled gathering of cask-strength bottlings, the second release comprises eight bottles that have been drawn from the historic stock of Diageo’s finest distilleries across Scotland including Talisker, Mortlach, The Singleton of Glendullan, and Brora. Curated this year by Master Blender Maureen Robinson, the growing Prima and Ultima collection gathers highly limited single vintage malts that are either the first or last bottling of their kind – each a piece of distilling history offering collectors and connoisseurs the opportunity to build an expertly curated liquid library over time.
Once registration is ended on the 23rd August 2021, there will be an opportunity to own the elusive set #1 of the second release of Prima & Ultima, each signed personally by Maureen Robinson when it goes under the hammer in an online auction at Sotheby’s from 15th - 24th September 2021 in Hong Kong, with all proceeds of the sale going to leading humanitarian charity, CARE International. Please visit https://www.sothebys.com/buy/7b179353-8cfd-4f66-880c-6c6ff89bd63e for more updates on the auction.
Funds from the auction will support CARE International UK's work to empower women and their communities around the world through encouraging entrepreneurship, building livelihoods, improving access to education and healthcare, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prima & Ultima is a collection of exquisite single vintage malts from Diageo distilleries from expert Master Blenders. The second release in the collection has been curated by Maureen Robinson, is made up of eight limited-edition Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from distilleries including Talisker, Mortlach and Port Ellen.
The second release of Prima & Ultima comprises weight bottlings from distilleries across Scotland. The second release features Auchroisk, Lagavulin, Linkwood, The Singleton of Glendullan, Talisker, Brora, Mortlach and Convalmore.
Master Blender, Maureen Robinson.
47-Year-Old | 48.7% ABV
Bottled: 26.01.2121 | Single Refill European Oak Butt
Number Bottled: 382 | Mulben, Speyside
The very first cask to be filled at Auchroisk when distilling began on 15th January 1974, this cask has been kept back for many years for its character and its rarity. Remarkably rich and spicy, with fruity aromas and smooth flavours.
28-Year-Old | 47.7% ABV
Bottled: 20.01.2021 | 5 Freshly Charred American Oak Hogsheads
Number Bottled: 1,081 | Port Ellen, Isle of Islay
The first of its kind from a small experimental batch matured entirely on Islay in freshly charred American Oak hogsheads, this is a very rare Lagavulin. Time has mellowed the smoky nature of this spirit making it elegantly rounded and smooth in texture.
39-Year-Old | 52.9% ABV
Bottled: 25.01.21 | 4 new American Oak casks, PX Oloroso seasoned
Number Bottled: 701 | Elgin | Speyside
Part of the first pioneering trial exploring different maturation processes at the distillery, this triple-rare expression gives it an incredible depth. The rich flavours and aromas of a PX/Oloroso-seasoned cask are deeply integrated with the creamy texture and spicy, toasted characters brought by the new American Oak.
28-Year-Old | 60.1% ABV
Bottled: 19.01.21 | Double Matured in 2 Madeira Casks for 14 Years
Number Bottled: 420 | Glendullan, Speyside
One of the most extraordinary maturations from The Singleton, first kept in refill wood, before double-maturing in two Madeira casks for another fourteen years. A part of a one-off trial at Singleton, a sweet richness complements the light and elegant distillery character.
41-Year-Old | 47.5%ABV
Bottled: 26.01.2021 | 4 Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Number Bottled: 556 | Carbost, Isle of Skye
Selected from the last four 1979 refill American Oak hogsheads that spent their time in the storm lashed warehouse, No.4, Talisker’s closet chamber to the Atlantic Ocean. Supremely rugged, smooth and muscular.
40-Year-Old | 49.4% ABV
Bottled: 18.01.21 | 3 Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Number Bottled: 505 | Brora, Highlands
The very last of the 1980 casks, distilled during the golden age of peated Brora. Stored separately for safe keeping, reunited for this final 1980 release. A fitting tribute to a great legacy aged in American Oak for 40 years, its fragrant smokiness lingers in the long, warming finish.
25-Year-Old | 52.4% ABV
Bottled: 19.01.21 | Single PX/Oloroso Seasoned European Oak Butt
Number Bottled: 454 | Dufftown, Speyside
Taken from a single very special 1995 Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso seasoned European Oak butt, this 25-Year-Old tames the meaty, robust strength of Mortlach. Known as ‘The Lone Wolf’ for standing out from the pack, this whisky is exceptionally complex and rich.
36-Year-Old | 48.6% ABV
Bottled: 25.01.21 | 3 Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Number Bottled: 647 | Dufftown, Speyside
How much is the full set?
The second release of Prima & Ultima has a recommended retail selling price of GBP23,500 (including tax and duty) in the UK
Dr Jim Beveridge, OBE.
The first Prima & Ultima release comprised eight bottlings from: Cragganmore, Caol Ila, Clynelish, Port Ellen, Talisker, Lagavulin, Mortlach and The Singleton of Dufftown.
Each full set of eight Prima & Ultima single vintage malts is accompanied by eight unique glasses, each engraved with a bespoke design that reflects the story behind each cask, created in collaboration with two glass artists. 20ml samples of the whiskies are also included with a booklet of personal stories behind each whisky, told by Maureen Robinson.
To register interest to buy a full set of the Prima & Ultima Collection’s first release, visit www.theprimaandultimacollection.com from the 4th August 2021. Following registration, applicants will be contacted directly by an appointed Prima & Ultima agent.
Successful applicants will be contacted via email or phone. If the applicant does not respond to the organiser within 3 business days of receipt of the email notification or after more than 3 failed telephone call attempts, the opportunity to purchase will be considered void.
As there are only 376 full sets of the second release of Prima & Ultima available, it is expected that not everyone who registers will be successful in acquiring the first collection sets.
We expect significant interest in the second release of Prima & Ultima, so we do recommend registering your intent to purchase on www.theprimaandultimacollection.com from the 4th August 2021.
Delivery will be handled differently depending on your geographical region; this will be outlined to you by the Diageo Prima & Ultima Agent that contacts you.
Depending on your country of residence, the appointed Prima & Ultima agent may be able to arrange delivery. If not, you may need to travel to a different country in which to purchase and pick up the whiskies, in which case you will need to arrange customs clearance at your final destination. The appointed Prima & Ultima agent will discuss options when they contact you and before you make a final purchase commitment. Prima & Ultima agents are based in Singapore, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Taiwan and Australia. Please contact us if you cannot find a suitable region so we can support you by emailing diageorareandexceptional@diageo.com
Delivery dates will be different depending on where you are based in the world. Your appointed Prima & Ultima agent will be able to share further details upon successful completion of purchase.