Whisky, the Barcelona Olympics and the Maastricht Treaty
The year 1992 hosted the Barcelona Summer Olympics and saw the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, leading to the European Union's formation.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), an independent bottler and members' club, rose to prominence for offering single-cask, cask-strength whiskies with playful, enigmatic tasting notes. Notable for their unique bottle codes and lack of distillery branding, SMWS releases have become collector's items, with older bottles from iconic distilleries fetching high prices. The increasing focus on 'limited editions,' often driven by independent bottlers, led to a collector's market that extended beyond age statements and brands.
Whisky from 1992 is valued for its quality and the imaginative flair brought to the industry by independent bottlers.