1. Cambus
Cambus, a defunct or ‘ghost’ distillery which closed in 1993, is a good first label for those who are looking to start a collection of drams from shuttered distilleries. It remains relatively affordable when compared with its cultish counterparts like Port Ellenand Brora. But don’t let its humble status fool you: Cambus’ drams are valued by whisky aficionados, especially those looking for grain whiskies of yesteryear.
Established in the early 1800s, Cambus was highly regarded by whisky blenders. The building is now under the care of alcoholic beverage company Diageo, which has turned it into a cooperage. There is no word on whether Diageo—which owns Port Ellen and Brora, and recently announced plans to revive them—would fire up a new set of stills for Cambus.
For now, a visit to La Maison du Whisky, which introduced an open-tasting of 800 bottles last month, would score you a Cambus. Aged for 26 years in a refill sherry butt, the Cambus 1991 is a creamy single grain whisky offering an aroma of crème brûlée, and notes of chocolate and baked apples. Bottled by independent bottler Signatory, only 486 bottles are available worldwide.