Chivas Brothers The Century Of Malts

A unique 1995 Blended Malt created from the single malt whiskies of 100 different distilleries, celebrating the 20th Century.

At-a-Glance:

Distillery: Multiple (100 different distilleries)

Bottler: Chivas Brothers

Country & Region: Scotland

Category: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (Vatted Malt)

Age: Non Age Statement (NAS) (Containing malts aged between 8 and 21 years)

Vintage: Malts sourced from the 20th Century

Bottled: Circa 1995 (Multiple editions exist)

ABV & Size(s): 40% (70cl/75cl) and 43% (75cl)

Cask / Treatment: Not stated by the producer (Assumed oak cask maturation/vatted)

Natural Colour: Not stated by the producer

Non-Chill-Filtered: Not stated by the producer

Cask Strength: No

Bottle count / Outturn: Not stated by the producer (Limited Edition)

Intended channel: Collector Release

Packaging: Standard glass bottle, includes a booklet listing the 100 distilleries.

Notes on discrepancies: The release date is 1995, but it was created to celebrate the coming Millennium. Different bottlings exist at 40% and 43% ABV.

1. Historical Context:

Chivas Brothers The Century Of Malts is one of the most conceptually ambitious blended malts ever released. Created in 1995, it was intended to celebrate the upcoming end of the 20th Century and the industry's rich history. The core concept behind the bottle is that the liquid is a marriage of single malt whiskies sourced from 100 different Scottish distilleries, making it an unparalleled liquid anthology of Scottish malt production.

This technical feat was made possible by the blending resources of Chivas Brothers, which, through its history and corporate ownership, had access to stocks from both famous and obscure distilleries. The malts were carefully vatted together to create a harmonious blend that paid tribute to a wide range of regional styles. The blend famously includes malts from sources such as Craigduff and Glenisla, known for their rarity.

To commemorate its complexity, the bottling often included a small booklet listing every single one of the 100 distilleries that contributed malt to the final product. The Chivas Brothers Century of Malts predates the modern single malt boom and is a highly valued historical artefact, representing a unique moment in blending history before many of the contributing distilleries were permanently closed or mothballed.

2. Technical Specification & Variant Map:

The Century Of Malts is highly differentiated by its strength variations, which significantly impact collector appeal.

2.1 Documented variants:

• 43% ABV/75cl: The superior and most highly regarded strength for this bottling.
• 40% ABV/70cl and 40% ABV/75cl: Common standard strength versions.
• The existence of both 40% and 43% ABV variants is the primary technical distinction, with the higher strength providing a richer tasting experience.

Variant Matrix:

2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist:

The most crucial authentication feature is the inclusion of the booklet detailing the 100 contributing distilleries. The label states "The Century of Malts" and the strength (40% or 43% ABV). For the 43% ABV variant, a high fill level is desirable. The bottle should be inspected for the presence of the original carton or display case.

2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes:

The liquid is legally a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (formerly Vatted Malt), meaning it contains 100% single malt spirit, but from multiple distilleries. The inclusion of malts from up to 100 sources is an extreme rarity in this category.

3. Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes):

The profile is generally sweet, biscuity, and complex, with subtle smoke from the vatting of multiple regional styles.

Nose: Sweet and biscuity, with dominant notes of honey and vanilla. Further complexity includes citrus, nougat, and cake.

Palate: Initially sweet and biscuity again, featuring big vanilla notes, white grapes, and orange cake. The palate moves towards heather, with subtle hints of peat and a nice toffee coating, reflecting the wide range of malt sources.

Finish: Sweet and medium-length, showing subtle spices and faint hints of smoke. Concludes with pleasant roasted nuts and mocha.

With water: Not stated by the producer.

5. Distillery/Bottler Snapshot:

The Century of Malts was bottled by Chivas Brothers (now part of Pernod Ricard), one of the world's most experienced blending houses. The product is unique in that it draws not from Chivas' proprietary malts (like Strathisla) but from a marriage of 100 single malts across the industry. This bottling showcases the blender's craft at its zenith: harmonising incredibly diverse malt profiles into a single, cohesive, and palatable expression.

6. Sourcing:

• Target formats/eras to prefer: The 75cl, 43% ABV version is the optimal target. Ensure the accompanying booklet listing the 100 distilleries is included.
• Red flags to avoid: Avoid bottles lacking the full presentation (booklet, box) as this diminishes the historical value. Check for label errors.
• Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): High fill level is essential. The integrity of the original carton is highly desired.
• Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: Velocity is moderate. Margin is high when bought at the lower auction hammer price (around 60.00 GBP) and sold at the retail ceiling (circa 195.00 GBP).