An exceptional expression 1966 vintage celebrates a unique year in the distilleries heritage. 1966 was the first year the distilleries “Islay Single Malt” was first bottled. Previous to this all of their malt whisky was sold as “fillings” or filled casks. 1966 was also the year that the now legendary distillery manager Eddie Macaffer joined the team. He would go on to enjoy a 50 year tenure of dedicated craftmanship, retiring in 2016.

Reviewed by Dave Broom on ScotchWhisky.com 94 points.

Colour: Deep amber with mahogany edges and a copper-gold glow; a sunset-bronze hue that whispers sherry maturity and fifty years in the cask.

Nose: An astonishing concentration of fruit—mango, guava, papaya with kiwi, plus hints of rose, ripe peach, banana and quince. Sweet, explosive and sunlit, open and direct, with no guile. A whisper of salinity and fade threads through bleached oak as the fruits brighten to yellow and sharpened edges emerge.

Palate: A vibrant cascade of fruit essences—almost Cognac-like in brightness, yet uncaramelised, with each fruit preserved in its own identity. Bright acidity carries the palate, tempered by a subtle sour green mango edge that adds balance and depth, finishing with a discreet anise note.

Finish: Long and subtle, the finish drifts away on caraway spice, leaving a bright apple shrub echo and a whisper of Islay smoke.