Hillside 1969 25 Year Old Rare Malts Selection | Rare Malts

A Rare Closed Distillery Release

Distilled 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.

Bottled 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.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Old polished oak, waxy malt, dried herbs, soft honey, citrus peel, and subtle mineral character layered with mature Highland complexity.
• Palate: Rich and oily with notes of vanilla, aged oak, gentle spice, malt sweetness, dried fruits, and a distinctive old-style cask strength character.
• Finish: Long, warming, and dry with lingering oak spice, soft vanilla, herbal notes, and mature malt depth.

Specifications

• Classification: Scotch Whisky
• Style: Single Malt
• Region: Highlands, Scotland
• Distillery: Hillside / Glenesk
• Bottler: Diageo
• Series: Rare Malts Selection
• Distilled: 1969
• Age: 25 Years
• ABV: 61.9%
• Colouring: Natural Colour
• Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered
• Volume: 750ml
• Style of Bottling: Natural Cask Strength
• Bottle Number: 2970
• Presentation: Bottle Only

About the Distillery

Founded 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.

By 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.

Archive Notes

Please 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.

Natural variation in fill level, packaging condition, and label ageing can occur in older releases and forms part of the character of mature collectible whisky.

Archive Release

Privately sourced and released in strictly limited quantities. Availability is finite and unlikely to be repeated once sold.

Not every bottle is meant to be found.