Whiskies distilled before World War II are exceptionally rare and highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs, representing a style of whisky production that has long passed. They differ significantly from modern whiskies in their production methods, flavour profiles, and scarcity.
Whiskies distilled before World War II generally featured heavier peat smoke, greater inconsistencies between batches, and a more pronounced grain and sherry influence than modern bottlings. The industry was less automated and more prone to variation, leading to a style of whisky now considered extinct.
Both WWI and WWII brought heavy government restrictions on whisky production. In WWII, rationing diverted precious barley and other cereals to food production, drastically reducing distillation from 1940 to 1944. This has resulted in the pre-WWII whiskies becoming ever so rare, valuable and highly coveted.
This year, we saw the oldest ever single malt releases, an 85 year old Glenlivet that was distilled in 1940. It is becoming more and more likely that, with stocks from this era and pre-WWII, we are likely to see the first ever 100 year old release in the next 10-15 years!
We have compiled a list below of some of the rarest and remarkable whiskies that were distilled before the break out of World War II in 1939: -
Dalmore 30yo Pure Malt, Duncan Macbeth 1950s Bottling
This magnificent ancient Dalmore malt was distilled, at the latest, in the early 1920's and bottled as a 30 year old Pure Malt in the old style dumpy bottling in the 1950's.
An extremely collectible piece of Scotch whisky history, there is no alcohol volume or content information on the label, though we would assume it to be a 75cl container.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £8,000. Buy Here.
Glen Grant 1936, Gordon & MacPhail 1980s Bottling
This superb Speyside single malt from Glen Grant was distilled pre-world war II in 1936 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, approximately 50 years later, in the 1980's.
A truly magnificent piece of Scotch whisky history that scored big with the WhiskyFun critics, running away with a 91 point haul!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,500. Buy Here.
Glenlivet 1938, Gordon & MacPhail 1970s Bottling
This classic 1938 Glenlivet vintage was bottled in the 1970's, at 70 proof and 26 2/3 Fl. Ozs, by Gordon & MacPhail and is very highly rated by Whiskyfun's Serge Valentin, who awarded it a hugely complimentary 92 points!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,916.67. Buy Here.
Linkwood 1939 43yo, Gordon & MacPhail 1980s Bottling
A wonderful 1939 pre-war distillation from Linkwood which was bottled as a 43 year old by Gordon & MacPhail in the early 1980's.
These black and white label bottling's have proved to be very collectible and of high demand over the years, we don't see that trend bucking soon!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,916.67. Buy Here.
Macallan 1938, Handwritten Label, Atkinson Baldwin 1980s Bottling
Could this be the best vintage Macallan ever? If the experts at WhiskyFun are anything to go by (this their highest scoring Macallan with 96 points), then it is a resounding yes!
Sightings of Yeti on the North Yorkshire Moors are more commonly reported than those of this incredible vintage Macallan distilled in 1938 adorned with beautiful handwritten label and wrapped in red ribbon. The label, fill-level and bottle are in superb condition, adding to the sheer brilliance of this masterpiece.
This early 1980's UK bottling (distributed by Atkinson Baldwin & Co. Ltd) is numbered 624 and comes complete with original wooden presentation box. A staggering piece of pre-war history. The connoisseurs dream.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £25,000. Buy Here.
MacPhail’s 1937 50yo, Gordon & MacPhail Book of Kells Decanter
This dazzling 50 year old MacPhail's single malt was distilled at a secret Speyside distillery on the 6th & 13th May 1937.
After maturing in selected oak casks at the unnamed distillery, and more recently at the bottler's warehouse in Elgin, the whisky was drawn from the cask on its 50th Anniversary, Sunday 6th December & Sunday 13th December 1987, and bottled by Gordon and MacPhail in this beautiful crystal decanter.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £6,000. Buy Here.
Mortlach 1936 43yo, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice
This brilliant 43 year old Mortlach was distilled in 1936 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 70 proof as part of their Connoisseurs Choice bottling's.
Incredibly rare and very collectible, this sherry maturerd Speysider received a fabulous score of 92 points from WhiskyFun.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £3,750. Buy Here.
Pride of Strathspey 1938, James Gordon 1970s Bottling
This quite fabulous malt was distilled in 1938 at a 'secret distillery' and bottled by James Gordon & Co. (later Gordon & MacPhail) in the late 1970's under the Pride of Strathspey label for the UK market.
This pre-war classic is difficult to source and with the contents believed (we heard it through the grapevine) to be a 1938 sherry-casked Macallan there is no suprise to its demand.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £4,166.67. Buy Here.
Rosebank 1938, Robert Stewart & Son 1960s Bottling
This magnificent vintage Lowland single malt was laid to rest at the Rosebank distillery in 1938 and bottled by Robert Stewart & Sons in the 1960's.
Bottled at 70 proof and 26 2/3 Fl. Ozs, this highly collectible pre-war time distillation is scarcely seen on the open market and is a great opportunity to own a slice of history from this long lost distillery.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £6,250. Buy Here.
Strathisla 1937, Gordon & MacPhail 1980s Bottling
An exceptionally rare pre-world war II gem that was distilled in 1937 at the Speyside Strathisla distillery.
This sherry matured beauty clocked in at well over 40 years old before being bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in the 1980's.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £3,333.33. Buy Here.
To view our full archive of Pre-World War II Relics, click here.