The Cask Strength Distillery Label series from Wm Cadenhead is a range of exclusive and rare vintages from the illustrious independent bottler.
There have been some spectacular releases in the series, which only ran for a few short years in the early-mid 1990s, from recognised giants of distilling, fan favourites and those that have been sadly long-lost along the way... Springbank, Port Ellen, Talisker, Lagavulin, Glenugie and Ardbeg, to name just a few of the heavyweights featured.
The label is minimalistic but instantly recognisable; set atop a white background is a hand drawn image of a distillery, whilst the cask number and individual bottle numbers are also always highlighted.
All of the bottlings benefit from being filled at natural cask strength, with no added colour, no chill-filtration and from a single cask. The series is so unique and is why it makes the bottles so highly sought after and revered.
Wm Cadenhead was established in 1842 and is Scotland's oldest independent bottler, currently owned by J&A Mitchell (proprietors of Springbank), who bought the company in 1972.
We have listed below a handful of some of the rarest and greatest expressions released from the Cadenhead Cask Strength Distillery Label back catalogue: -
Ardbeg 1975, Cask 1382
This majestic vintage Islay single malt was laid to rest in 1975 at the Ardbeg distillery and bottled at 57.6% ABV by Wm Cadenhead from cask number 1382.
Bottled as a part of the white label Cadenhead's Cask Strength series, this rarely seen relic is extremely collectible and sought after.
The Whisky Vault Price: 3333.33 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Clynelish 1972, Cask 5643
This sumptuous Highland single malt was laid to rest at the Clynelish distillery in 1972 and bottled by William Cadenhead Ltd in the 1990's for their highly decorated white label Cask Strength series.
Filled from Sherry cask number 5643 at a natural strength 61.5% ABV, this exceptionally rare Scotch scored a massive 92 points with the WhiskyFun critics.
The Whisky Vault Price: 6,666 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Glen Mhor 1975, Cask 931
This ultra rare vintage Speyside malt was distilled in 1975 at the (now silent) Glen Mhor distillery and bottled by Wm Cadenhead from cask number 931 around 1992/93.
Bottled at a whopping 60.9% ABV for Cadenhead's white label Cask Strength series, it was awarded 92 points on the top review site, WhiskyFun.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,666 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Glendronach 1970, Cask 26
This very rare Speyside malt was distilled at the Glendronach distillery in 1970 and bottled by William Cadenhead Ltd in the 1990's at a cask strength 58.9% ABV.
Matured in cask number 26 for over 20 years, this white label cask strength Cadenhead is highly collectible and increasingly scarce.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Glenfarclas 1980, Cask 7906
This rare vintage Speyside single malt was laid to rest at the Glenfarclas distillery in 1980 and bottled for Cadenhead's white label Cask Strength series in the early 1990's.
Drawn from single cask number 7906 at a natural strength 58.7% ABV.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,250 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Glenugie 1980, Cask 3657
This oh-so rare Highland single malt was laid down at the Glenugie distillery in 1980 and bottled by Wm Cadenhead Ltd in the 1990's for their highly decorated white label Cask Strength series.
Drawn from Sherry cask number 3657 at a natural strength 58.1% ABV, this is a highly collectible and wildly scarce malt.
We know this long lost distillery, which closed in 1983, was churning out some of its best material in the early 1980's - expect this to be the bomb!
The Whisky Vault Price: 5,000 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Lagavulin 1978, Cask 129
This ultra rare Islay single malt was laid down at the Lagavulin distillery in 1978 and bottled for the highly collectible Cadenhead's Cask Strength white label series.
Drawn from cask number 129 at a mammoth natural strength 64.9% ABV.
The Whisky Vault Price: 2,500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Port Ellen 1981, Cask 1293
This exceptionally rare Islay single malt was laid to rest at the Port Ellen distillery in 1981 and bottled for the highly collectible Cadenhead's Cask Strength white label series in the early 1990's.
Filled from single cask number 1293 at a mind-blowing 64.8% ABV.
The Whisky Vault Price: 4,166 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Springbank 1965, Cask 2164
This sensational sherry-matured Campbeltown malt was laid to rest in 1965 at the Springbank distillery and bottled for Cadenhead's Cask Strength white label series.
Drawn from cask number 2164 at a natural strength 54.5% ABV, this handwritten numbered bottle is supremely collectible; a statement backed up by the WhiskyFun gang who awarded this sherry monster a massive 95 points.
The Whisky Vault Price: 12,500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Talisker 1979, Cask 4
This rare Isle of Skye single malt was laid down at the Talisker distillery in 1979 and bottled by Wm Cadenhead for their white label cask strength series in the 1990's.
Yielded from single cask number 4 at a natural strength 64.9% ABV, this super islander is one of the lesser-spotted releases from the white label series - and from an era when we know Talisker churned our some extra special liquid!
The Whisky Vault Price: 2,708 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
The Cadenhead Cask Strength Distillery Label range is a breathtaking series of collectible and legendary malts, the likes of which won’t be around for ever. Click here to view our full category from the range.