Scotland, Southern Highlands. Distillery operational. Owner: Lalique Cristal

The old adage “good things come in threes” is particularly apt when it comes to the Glenturret distillery. Indeed, its birth certificate could legitimately feature three dates: 1814 with Thomas McComish, before its closure during the 1850s; 1875, when Thomas Steward renamed his Hosh distillery Glenturret; and, finally, 1959-1960, when James Fairlie fully renovated the site and reopened the distillery. After a short period with the French company Cointreau, it eventually joined Highland Distillers (Edrington Group) and now makes an important contribution to the Famous Grouse blend. Despite its modest production, Glenturret has garnered something of a following among malt whisky enthusiasts thanks to the magnificent vintage editions (1966, 1967, 1976) launched in the mid-80s, alongside the distribution of its also popular classic versions. From the early 2000s, numerous single casks and small batch versions were added to the range, making Glenturret a collectors' distillery.

A single cask Glenturret (#744) distilled in 1975 and bottled at cask strength in 1995 by Signatory Vintage for the Quaich Society of St Andrews University, Scotland. Signatory Vintage was founded in 1988 by Andrew Symington, who previously worked at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh, where he would select casks specially for the hotel. In 2002, he bought the Edradour distillery in Pitlochry, in the Highlands of Scotland and moved Signatory Vintage vintage to the site, including the warehouses opposite the distillery. A limited edition of 166 bottles.