{"product_id":"hillside-1969-25-year-old-rare-malts-selection-rare-malts","title":"Hillside 1969 25 Year Old Rare Malts Selection | Rare Malts","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA Rare Closed Distillery Release\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDistilled in 1969 at the historic Glenesk distillery, released under the Hillside name, and bottled as part of Diageo’s iconic Rare Malts Selection, this 25 year old official bottling represents a significant piece of Scotch whisky history. Produced during a period when the distillery operated under multiple identities including Hillside and Glenesk, this exceptionally rare release captures the character of a long-silent Highland distillery that has become increasingly sought after by collectors worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBottled at natural cask strength in the mid-1990s, this expression reflects the Rare Malts philosophy of presenting mature whisky in its purest form without chill filtration. With Glenesk demolished decades ago and official bottlings becoming increasingly scarce, surviving examples remain highly collectible and rarely encountered in well-preserved condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Old polished oak, waxy malt, dried herbs, soft honey, citrus peel, and subtle mineral character layered with mature Highland complexity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and oily with notes of vanilla, aged oak, gentle spice, malt sweetness, dried fruits, and a distinctive old-style cask strength character.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, warming, and dry with lingering oak spice, soft vanilla, herbal notes, and mature malt depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Scotch Whisky\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Single Malt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highlands, Scotland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hillside \/ Glenesk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rare Malts Selection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDistilled:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1969\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 Years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 61.9%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColouring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural Colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-Chill Filtered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVolume:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle of Bottling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural Cask Strength\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2970\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bottle Only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Distillery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in 1898 by the memorably named Septimus Parsonage, the distillery originally operated under the Hillside name before later becoming more widely known as Glenesk. Renowned for its unusually large stills, the distillery produced Hillside single malt between 1965 and 1980 and developed a reputation for a distinctive Highland style rarely encountered today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy the time of this Rare Malts release, the distillery had already fallen silent, adding further significance to surviving official bottlings. Mature Hillside \/ Glenesk expressions remain exceptionally scarce, particularly natural cask strength releases from the Rare Malts Selection series, which helped preserve the legacy of several lost Scottish distilleries for collectors and enthusiasts alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eArchive Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease review all product images carefully. Minor cosmetic wear to labels, capsules, cartons, or presentation cases may be present due to age, long-term storage, or secondary-market sourcing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNatural variation in fill level, packaging condition, and label ageing can occur in older releases and forms part of the character of mature collectible whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eArchive Release\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePrivately sourced and released in strictly limited quantities. Availability is finite and unlikely to be repeated once sold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top:24px; font-style:italic; color:#9A9A9A; font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\nNot every bottle is meant to be found.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Whisky Archive","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47837080191150,"sku":"TWA-HILLSIDE-1969-25YO-RM2970","price":2950.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0743\/6582\/9294\/files\/hillside-1969-25-year-old-rare-malts-selection-rare-malts-1.jpg?v=1779496245","url":"https:\/\/thewhiskyarchive.com.au\/products\/hillside-1969-25-year-old-rare-malts-selection-rare-malts","provider":"The Whisky Archive","version":"1.0","type":"link"}