September marks a busy period for Scotch whisky, with brands launching a raft of new products after months or even years of development. Attention is sharply focused on the upcoming festive season and the potential sales it promises.

September 2024 followed this trend, showcasing an impressive array of new releases. However, notably, this year featured a greater emphasis on rare, luxury and premium whiskies. It seems the selection of sought-after, collectable offerings is at an all-time high. Here’s our guide to the standout options for those with deep enough pockets.

Benromach | 50 years old

The independently owned Speyside distillery of Benromach has long been highly regarded and awarded. The last couple of years have seen it begin to release some seriously aged retro whisky, culminating in the launch of this 50-year-old – one of its oldest ever single malts.

The whisky has been in the distillery’s warehouses for half a century since the early 1970s and is released at the natural cask strength of 54.6% ABV.

The rare whisky is presented in a handblown glass decanter created by Highland hot glass studio Glasstorm. This includes battuta, a highly skilled technique where glass is hand-sculpted by the glassmaker, giving each decanter a distinct uniqueness. Less than 250 such decanters are available worldwide.

Expect early notes of grilled pineapple and orange peel, which give way to stewed orchard fruits (especially apple and apricot), old leather and a gentle wisp of soft, sweet peat smoke. Exquisite.

Available at The Spritis Embassy

Glenallachie | 35 years old

The Speyside distillery of Glenallachie has built a cult following since it was purchased by new ownership seven years ago. The emphasis on high-quality ex-sherry casks has driven this newfound popularity. Now, the oldest official single malt to date has been released.

This delightful whisky comes from just six ex-bourbon barrels that were switched shortly after the takeover to a combination of ex-sherry casks (three Pedro Ximenez and one Oloroso), plus two new American oak barrels.

Billy Walker, the legendary Master Distiller at Glenallachie with over 50 years of experience in the Scotch whisky industry, has created a masterpiece. The whisky is rich, decadent and velvety, and the long finishing period creates plenty of dried fruit, milk chocolate and nutty notes—think of raisins, sultana and candied orange with cocoa powder, walnut and hazelnut praline.

An abundance of savoury elements also shines through, including sandalwood, baking spices and a hint of an old cigar box. Simply stunning.

Available at The Strong Water Co.

The Glenlivet | Eternal Collection: First Edition 55 years old

The Glenlivet, the popular Speyside distillery, celebrates its 200th anniversary this year and has unveiled its oldest official bottling to commemorate it. The Glenlivet Eternal Collection: First Edition 55 Years Old has been maturing in a single ex-sherry cask since the late-1960s. This has been nurtured over recent years by Kevin Balmforth, the Cask Master at The Glenlivet, and launches the distillery’s Eternal Collection, showcasing some of the rarest stock left maturing in their warehouses.

The rare whisky is housed in an opulent spherical decanter, which sits inside an eye-catching sculpture created by computational architect Michael Hansmeyer. There are just 100 available, and they will be available in limited supply in selected world markets.

It is bottled at the natural cask strength of 42.2% ABV. Notes of poached pear, hazelnut and vanilla fudge dominate, supported by further notes of zesty orange, dark chocolate ganache and fresh gingerbread. It is a true work of art.

Available at The Whisky Exchange

Laphroaig | Strong Characters 33 years old

The iconic Islay distillery of Laphroaig joined the party late in September with the launch of the Strong Characters range of limited-edition single malts and the first bottling in that range: the Laphroaig Strong Characters 33 Years Old.

Each bottling in the series will honour an influential person in the distillery’s history, starting with co-founder Donald Johnson. The packaging features striking monochromatic illustrations from renowned British artist Bill Bragg.

The whisky has matured for over 30 years in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and European oak ex-sherry hogshead casks. Both play a role in a complex set of tasting notes that have incredible depth and diversity—think of vanilla crème brûlée and stewed rhubarb combined with smoked mackerel and manuka honey, all wrapped up in Laphroaig’s signature medicinal peat smoke.

Hints of drying seaweed, creamy fudge and salty sea spray round things off superbly. An instant classic.

Available at The Whisky Shop

Macallan | 1990 33 years old Komorebi Edition

While the Speyside distillery of Macallan joined the party with the extraordinary-looking Time: Space release as part of their 200th anniversary, this independent bottling may have slid under the radar a little.

Released by the award-winning East Asia Whisky Company, this rare whisky is inspired by komorebi—the Japanese term meaning ‘sunlight through trees’. The whisky was distilled in 1990 and matured for 31 years in a single ex-bourbon cask before a two-year finishing period in a Japanese mizunara oak cask.

This rare expression of Macallan is enhanced further by a stunning decanter by Glencairn Crystal. This brings the Japanese concept of komorebi to life with an intricate engraved silver oak blossom branch design wrapping around the bottle and an elegant paint stroke running down the back. Each was meticulously completed by hand by skilled Glencairn technicians over many hours and there are just 100 decanters in existence.

Expect notes of vanilla custard, bitter orange oil and clove married with milk chocolate and chamois leather.

See more at eastasiawhisky.com