Flora and Fauna Mannochmore 12 Year Old

Launched in 1991, Flora & Fauna was Diageo's way of bringing rarely seen single malts to market — spirits otherwise destined for blended Scotch. The name came from whisky writer Michael Jackson, drawn to the wildlife and plant illustrations on each label. Never official, always fitting. Today just 11 expressions remain, quietly sought-after by those who know.

Built in 1971 by Distillers Company Ltd. next to the older Glenlossie distillery in Speyside, Mannochmore was constructed to meet the booming demand for malt whisky for Haig and Dimple blended Scotch. The distillery is perhaps best known for the notorious Loch Dhu — "the Black Whisky" — a single malt so heavily coloured with caramel that it was pitch black, widely considered one of the worst ever produced yet now a cult collector's item since its discontinuation in 1999. Now owned by Diageo, Mannochmore's 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna is a welcome contrast to that notoriety: a delicate, light-bodied Speysider with floral and grassy aromas, notes of citrus, vanilla and candied ginger, and a short, dry finish.