MIT tasting: old and rare single malt Scotch whiskies

With the help of the MIT Club of Boston, we put on our second MIT scotch tasting of old and rare single malt Scotch whiskies last night. What a lineup! Over 240 total years of whisky maturation, with a selection of some of the finest single malts bottled by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail. Thanks to Matt Chivian from Martignetti for leading through all eight whiskies, and to my personal friend Dave Russo for supplying an excellent bottle of Ardbeg 20.

Here's the lineup we tried ("yo" = years old):

• Rosebank 1991 19 yo - A closed Lowlands distillery about which world-renowned whisky writer Jim Murray says: "If there is a God [it] will surely one day re-open."
• Dallas Dhu 1982 24 yo - A closed Speyside distillery that is now a whisky museum.
• Glenury Royal 1972 30 yo - A closed Highlands distillery that has long since been demolished.
• Balblair 1966 37 yo - An acclaimed Highlands distillery that is producing very fine vintage whiskies today.
• Glen Grant 1956 49 yo - The favorite whisky at our last Old and Rare tasting was a Glen Grant 1960 45 yo...so we're bringing in an even older one!
• MacPhail's 50 yo - A half-century-old single malt from a "secret" Speyside distillery.
  
• Surprise whisky - This turned out to be a Glen Grant 15 yo that only had ex-bourbon maturation, so it was in distinct contrast with the Glen Grant 49 yo!
• Bonus whisky - Dave Russo supplied us with an Ardbeg 1974 20 yo that was a great complement to the evening, showing us the subtler side of peaty Islay whisky.

All in all, a great night, and I look forward to the next time we can do one of these...