Flora and Fauna Inchgower 14 Year Old

Established in 1991 by United Distillers, predecessor to Diageo, the Flora & Fauna collection was conceived to provide market representation for distilleries whose output was predominantly allocated to blended Scotch production. The collection's name, attributed to the late whisky writer Michael Jackson, derives from the botanical and zoological illustrations featured on each label, though it was never formally recognised by the producer. With only 11 expressions currently available at retail, the range has acquired considerable status among collectors and connoisseurs of Scotch whisky.

Founded in 1871 on the north-eastern edge of Speyside near the fishing town of Buckie, Inchgower has an unlikely chapter in its history — purchased by Buckie Town Council for £1,000 in 1936 following the original company's bankruptcy, only to be sold two years later to Arthur Bell & Sons for £3,000. Through subsequent mergers, the distillery passed into Diageo's ownership, where its malt has become an integral component of Bell's, White Horse and Johnnie Walker blended Scotch. With only around 1% of output available as single malt, the 14 Year Old Flora & Fauna — added to the range in 1991 — is virtually the only way to experience it: a waxy, herbaceous and well-balanced dram with notes of tropical fruit, honeyed sweetness, citrus and a pleasant maritime undertone.