Hidden Treasures: Niche Whisky Brands to Discover

A hidden treasure hailing from the Speyside region of Scotland, Auchroisk (pronounced ‘OH-thrusk’) was founded in 1974. The first liquids sold were blended malts, with a single malt released in 1978.

Of the distillery's notable releases, the Auchroisk 10 Year Old Flora & Fauna is a true standout. Best enjoyed neat – or with just a splash of water – this smooth aperitif malt is a pleasant, light pour that opens to reveal sweet and fresh notes on the palate, before rounding off with a short, dry finish.

Benrinnes is a hidden jewel among the Speyside whiskies. Situated in Scotland’s Highlands, the region is home to roughly 50 distilleries and produces nearly half of all Scotches made. Liquids like the Mortlach 12 perfectly embody the spirit of Speyside whiskies, often identified by their soft spiciness and fresh, sweet notes.

Benrinnes 15 Year Old Flora & Fauna is another Speyside staple, boasting a flavour profile alive with fresh, estery touches and rich, full sweetness. Enjoy this exceptional malt neat or with a splash of water.

Presented as part of the 2015 Special Releases, the Caledonian 1974 40 Year Old – often called The Cally by whisky enthusiasts and inspired by those who worked at the original distillery years ago – is a complex whisky worthy of a space on your shelf.

With a classic old grain character, The Cally cleverly demonstrates the toffee character of American oak with added touches of well-balanced spice.

If you’re already well-versed in the nuances and luxurious notes of whiskies including Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Talisker, you’ll love adding the Cladach 2018 blended Scotch whisky to your collection, a gloriously pleasing and affirming whisky that captures the character of coastal malts perfectly.

This unique and dynamic malt was the first-ever master blend of whiskies from six sublime single malt distilleries, including the aforementioned Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Talisker, plus Clynelish, Oban and Inchgower. Sip and see if you can pick out any of the distinct characteristics in each.

From Band Aid to the Avengers, all-star collaborations have long been a source for excitement and excellence. And with Collectivum whisky, the superheroes of single malts came together for the release of the XXVIII Blended Scotch Whisky.

This once-in-a-lifetime blend – boasting a rich and rounded liquid, filled with spicy-sweet aromas and a balanced sweet palate - unites all twenty-eight operating single malt distilleries owned by Diageo.

Copper Dog is a whisky for modern connoisseurs inspired by those who have helped get the industry to where it is today. Speyside distillery workers in the past would sneak a dram using a ‘copper dog,’ a pipe hidden inside the leg of their trousers. This trick is what inspires the brand’s blend of no fewer than eight single malts today, including the Speyside Blended Scotch Whisky.

An easy-drinking Scotch works which lends itself perfectly to an Old Fashioned cocktail or served with a splash of crisp apple juice, this Copper Dog might just become man’s new best friend.

First built in 1851, the Dailuaine distillery (pronounced “dal-u-ayn”) has been providing high-quality malts full of the Speyside spirit for nearly two centuries – but it’s been something of a well-kept secret amongst whisky aficionados. This could be because, out of the three-million litres produced each year, only around 2% of it goes towards its own unique bottlings – like the 16 Year Old Flora & Fauna. The rest is used to produce spirits that go into blends for brands like Johnnie Walker.

Nestled in the heart of Speyside’s luscious hills, Glen Elgin is a smaller distillery which draws the water from the springs of the Millbuies Loch to produce some world-class whisky.

The Glen Elgin 12 Year Old is full of Speyside trademarks, bringing pleasant sweet notes including marzipan and almonds together for something that’s been thought of as ‘fruitcake in a bottle.’

For a nuttier, sophisticated taste, the Glen Elgin 18 Year Old brings together mild sweetness, vanilla toffees and hints of brown sugar and dried spices.

Glen Spey – named after the River Spey, and another smaller Speyside distillery – has released only a handful of official bottlings during its lifetime, with the first one only appearing in 2010. Even more astounding considering the distillery dates back to 1878.

Of the very limited bottles, the 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna is a notable release, offering a smooth, pleasant and lighter Speyside single malt, complete with tropical tastes of peaches, pineapple and hints of lemon.

Interestingly, the distillery even boasts something every historical site should have – a ghost. The story of the ghost dates back to the Second World War, when a solider posted at the distillery was electrocuted. It is said that his spirit still roams the site at night… most likely looking to get hold of the rare Flora & Fauna bottle.

Glenlossie’s first official bottling was the 10 Year Old Flora & Fauna single malt – and it was the last. Apart from a Manager’s Dram and a limited number of independent bottles, the distillery has not produced regular blends of its own, making the Flora & Fauna a must-have for whisky collectors and those curious about this obscure distillery.

The 10 Year Old Flora & Fauna is a Speyside classic – filled with herbal, floral notes and just the hint of smokiness when mixed with a splash of water.

While not as well known as some of its Speyside neighbours, the Inchgower distillery produces distinctive whiskies full of character and charm.

Notable releases include the 14 Year Old Flora & Fauna – a puzzling, beguiling liquid which has a chameleon-esque quality, boasting aromatics and a changing flavour profile, offering both a pleasing sweet palate opener and a saccharine, bitter finish.

Meanwhile, the Inchgower 27 Year Old Special Releases 2018 is testament to the distillery’s exploratory spirit, combining the staples of Speyside whiskies with the openness of the salty sea as they expanded their horizons to age the liquid for almost three decades in American oak hogsheads.

With a rich legacy dating back to 1898, Knockando shares a range of malts and blends which capture the qualities and heart of the Speyside region. Sticking true to the region’s roots of fruity, fresh flavours, the Knockando 12 Year Old – best served with a drop of water or a couple of ice cubes – is a light whisky, packed full of florals with the perfect balancing touch of smoky notes.

Another Speyside hidden gem, Linkwood bottlings are rare, with the distillery typically producing malts for other blenders to use in bottles like the Johnnie Walker 15 Year Old Green Label. However, one of the brand’s core releases is the 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna, offering a blooming palate of fruits and flowers, with a touch of spice and oak.

A relatively young distillery, Mannochmore was founded in 1971, and briefly shut in 1985. After a reopening in 1989, the Speyside distillery eventually bottled the Mannochmore 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna.

Surprisingly clean, dry, and refreshingly direct, this Speyside spirit makes for a light aperitif. Enjoy it neat or with a splash of water to open the grassy, herbal flavours.

Demolished in 2002, the Pittyvaich distillery may be gone but it’s not forgotten thanks to incredible malts, like the 2020 30 Year Old Special Release.

An elusive bottling from Pittyvaich, the Special Release – with light, creamy, fruity aromas and flavours of a lesser-known Speyside gem - is a serious contender for any collector or whisky enthusiast. The luxury liquid was made from the last remaining stocks of the ghost distillery, and it was the first ever to be finished in first-fill ex-bourbon casks.

Opened in 2009, Roseisle was the first large scale malt distillery to be opened in Scotland in 30 years. The modern distillery is one of the most environmentally sustainable, using innovative technology to reduce the carbon footprint of producing luxury malts.

The 12 Year Old Special Release 2023 single malt was one such extraordinary offering. With light hints of vanilla, notes of ripe fruit and white chocolate, this is a sumptuous, smoothly creamy malt with a rich, long finish.

There has been only one official bottling from the Strathmill distillery since it was first founded in 1891 (although it wasn’t until 1895 that it officially became Strathmill), except for two casks released to celebrate its centenary and a small number of independent releases. So, the 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna single malt is a true rarity and something that any whisky fan should consider exploring.

This is a great starter malt for those hoping to get into whisky, with a balance of sweet and dry notes making it an easy-drinking all-rounder.

Captain Hugh Munro, head of the local clan, established the Teaninich distillery more than 200 years ago. In 1887, it became the first distillery north of Inverness to have electricity and a telephone. Despite this pioneering, enterprising spirit – and the fact it remains an impressive 20 acres plus in size – Teaninich is lesser known than some of its Highland neighbours partly due to the fact not many expressions have been released.

There are two notable exceptions, starting with the 10 Year Old Flora & Fauna, a well-rounded single malt whisky with light salty flavours indicative of its Highlands roots.

The 17 Year Old Special Releases 2017 single malt was released during the distillery’s 200th year. An exceptional offering, the malt has an initial sweetness which opens up to layers of toffee and apple flavours, warming up to a spicy oak finish.