1996 Vintage Whisky

Whisky and sheep

1996 saw the devastating Dunblane Massacre in Scotland and the birth of Dolly the Sheep, the first cloned mammal.

In the whisky world, the Oban Distillery launched its 14-Year-Old as part of Diageo's Classic Malts series. The expression became a mainstay for whisky enthusiasts who appreciated its coastal character combined with rich, fruity notes. This period also saw GlenDronach revive its sherry cask maturation method, increasing the availability of rich, sherried whiskies in the market. On the independent bottler front, Duncan Taylor extended its reach with the Peerless Collection, featuring some extraordinary older whiskies. The series was known for its exceptional cask strength releases, which allowed enthusiasts to sample whiskies that were often significantly older than standard bottlings.

Whisky from 1996 offers a broad spectrum of flavors and aging techniques, exemplified by both mainstream brands and boutique bottlers, making it a noteworthy year for collectors and investors alike.