Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd is a specialist independent whisky merchant based in Huntly, Aberdeenshire. The company was founded in 1938 in Glasgow as a cask broker and trader. During the 1960s, the late Abe Rosenberg, a native New Yorker who had acquired his wealth from importing J&B Scotch to the US after WWII, purchased Duncan Taylor & Co. and began storing premium casks that he had bought from renowned distilleries. Rosenberg continued to collect exceptional casks up until his death in 1994, at which time he had amassed almost 5,000 treasured casks.
In 2001, Euan Shand, a native Scotsman whose family already had a rich history in the whisky sector, took over the management of the company. Shand started out as a cooper at the Glendronach distillery, where his father, the late Albert Shand, was the manager. When Glendronach was bought by Wm Teacher in 1957, Euan spent 6 further years working in many aspects of the business before moving to their headquarters to study export finance and international trade. In 1990, Euan founded the Bennachie Scotch Whisky Co., where he pioneered interest in vatted and blended malts.
In April 2024, Shawn Smith was announced as the new director and owner of the company, following the retirement of Shand.
Duncan Taylor & Co. have been responsible for some wonderful bottlings and series over the past few decades, we are going to take a look at a few now…
The Rare Auld Cask Strength series is a collection of exclusive rare single malt and single grain whiskies that have been aged for a significant period of time (many over 30 years) and bottled at a natural cask strength, without chill filtration or added colouring. Check out two fine examples from the range here: -
Bruichladdich 1966 39yo, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
This 39 year old Islay malt was distilled in January 1966 at Bruichladdich and bottled in January 2005 by Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd for their Cask Strength Rare Auld series.
Taken from oak cask number 190, this is one of just 230 bottlings filled at 41.4% ABV.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,250 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Glen Grant 1970 34yo, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
This spectacular 34 year old Speyside single malt was laid to sleep at the Glen Grant distillery in February 1970 and bottled by Duncan Taylor for their Rare Auld Cask Strength range in March 2004.
One of a miserly 68 bottles, this rarity was drawn from single Sherry cask number 856 at a natural strength 49.5% ABV.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
The Rarest of the Rare series is a collection of exceptionally rare and limited edition single cask Scotch whiskies. The range includes bottlings from many closed/silent distilleries such as Ladyburn, Banff and Kinclaith as well as powerhouses such as Macallan and Port Ellen. Here are a few examples from the series: -
Banff 1980 26yo, Duncan Taylor Rarest of the Rare
This super 26 year old Highland single malt was laid to rest at the Banff distillery in November 1980 before being selected and bottled by Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd for their Rarest of the Rare label in November 2006.
Drawn from single oak cask number 2913 at a natural strength 56.1% ABV, this is one of only 220 bottles.
Banff was founded in 1825 and saw some tough times during its existence, including having to relocate in 1863 after a devastating fire and surviving an enemy aircraft bombing in 1941 during WWII. The resilient distillery finally caved during the dark period for the industry (AKA the 1980's) and sadly closed its doors once and for all in 1983.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,250 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Kinclaith 1969 36yo, Duncan Taylor Rarest of the Rare
This sensational Lowland single malt was laid down at the Kinclaith distillery in May 1969 and laid to rest for 36 years before being selected and bottled by Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd under their Rarest of the Rare label in August 2005.
Drawn from cask number 301456 at a natural cask strength 50.1% ABV, this is one of just 152 bottling's that comes in a stunning presentation case complete with 5CL sample, tasting glass and COA.
Kinclaith only operated for a mere 18 years within the Strathclyde grain distillery and was primarily produced for use in blends, with very few single malt bottling's making it to market, and as a result this fabulous expression has become even more collectable and valued.
The Whisky Vault Price: 3,333 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
The John Scott’s series is a very limited range of bottles that the company bottled for John Scott & Miller Ltd, view this stunning specimen here: -
Highland Park 1965 37yo, John Scott’s 2003 Bottling
This extraordinarily rare 37 year old Orkney single malt was laid to rest at the Highland Park distillery in 1965 and bottled for John Scott & Miller Ltd under their John Scott's label.
This release is one of just 12 single casks that were laid down in the 1960's by Robert Firth Miller, former proprietor of John Scott & Miller Ltd. The name John Scott, which was the original name of the company, was featured on shop bottling's of Highland Park up until 1955.
Charged from single Sherry cask number 8409 at a natural strength 42.2% ABV, this heavily Sherried stunner is one of only 75 bottles that were bottled in conjunction with Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd in 2003.
The Whisky Vault Price: 4,166.67 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
The Octave Premium Range from Duncan Taylor showcases years of maturation expertise transforming some of Scotland's oldest and rarest whiskies into gently expanded and more sophisticated forms. Octave casks are approximately 1/8th the size of a butt and each one yields approx. just 80 bottles! These cask strength whiskies have been held in sherry wood to intensify their flavour and bring our some glorious colours. Here are a couple of excellent offerings: -
Aberlour 1988 31yo, Duncan Taylor The Octave
This Gorgeous 31 year old Speyside single malt was laid to rest at the Aberlour distillery in 1988 and bottled by Duncan Taylor for their The Octave range in 2019.
Charged from single cask number 3325593 at a natural strength 48.3% ABV, this limited edition is one of only 62 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,250 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Laphroaig 2004 17yo, Duncan Taylor The Octave
This fantastic 17 year old Islay single malt was laid to sleep at the Laphroaig distillery in 2004 and bottled by Duncan Taylor for their The Octave range in 2022.
Charged from single cask number 5634019 at a natural strength 54.9% ABV, this limited release is one of just 85 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: 416.67 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Other decorated releases from Duncan Taylor & Co. include The Duncan Taylor Rarest Collection, their longest aged malts (we have a fabulous 49yo Banff and 61yo Lochside coming soon), and a special King Charles III Coronation Edition, which can be viewed here: -
Laphroaig King Charles III Trilogy, Duncan Taylor Coronation Edition 2023
This spectacular trio of Laphroaig single malts were bottled to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III on the 6th May 2023.
Limited to 150 individually numbered presentation sets, Duncan Taylor & Co. have offered up there excellent expressions, all uniquely finished in sherry Octave casks, as follows: -
• Laphroaig 2004 18yo • Sherry Cask Finish • 53.3% ABV • 70cl
• Laphroaig 1999 23yo • Sherry Cask Finish • 46.7% ABV • 70cl
• Laphroaig 1996 26yo • Sherry Cask Finish • 41.7% ABV • 70cl
A simply stunning and rare offering that is presented in a premium clear case, illuminated by remote and gold mirror accents - Yes, it lights up! The set is completed with COA and a pair of handling gloves and charging adapter. Queen Camilla was even presented with her only personal set by DT & Co. earlier this year.
Laphroaig is the only distillery that has been awarded the Royal Warrant of Appointment to the Prince of Wales, when Charles himself granted the honour himself in 1994.
The Whisky Vault Price: 3,250 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Duncan Taylor & Co. are showing no signs of slowing down and we look forward to what they bring to the table with future releases. View all of our Duncan Taylor & Co. bottlings here.