Old Parr Britains Best Factory 15 Year Old 1997 75cl
75cl / 43%
£99.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
Tasting Notes
Autumn Florals, Grass, and Hay
Barley, Honey and Oak
Medium Finish, Barley and Oak
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A limited-edition, aged blended Scotch whisky released to commemorate a 1997 industrial award.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Macdonald Greenlees (Diageo) / Scotland (Blended Scotch) |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 15 Years Old / Bottled 1997 / Contained spirit from 1982 or earlier |
| ABV & Size(s) | 43% ABV / 75cl (750ml) |
| Cask / Treatment | Blend of aged malt and grain whiskies / Not stated by the producer. |
| Natural Colour | No (Caramel E150a used) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | No (Chill filtered likely) |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 1,000 Bottles |
| Intended channel | Internal/Employee Commemorative Release |
| Packaging | Standard Old Parr bottle with a commemorative label, typically with a presentation box. |
| Notes on discrepancies | This is a highly specific internal release, not a standard retail product. The age statement (15 Year Old) is a premium over the standard 12 Year Old expression. |
Historical Context
The Old Parr brand, registered in 1909, is named after Thomas Parr, an Englishman allegedly buried in Westminster Abbey at the age of 152. The brand has been a consistent premium blend, famously strong in export markets, particularly Japan and South America. Ownership has rested with Diageo (and its forerunners DCL and Macdonald Greenlees) since the 1920s.
The Britain's Best Factory 15 Year Old bottling is unique as an internal commemorative release. It was bottled in 1997 to celebrate the achievement of the "Britain's Best Factory" award by the specific Diageo bottling plant responsible for Old Parr, likely the Leven bottling facility in Fife. Being a 15 Year Old, it contains whiskies distilled no later than 1982, representing a high-quality, aged blend from the late 20th century, containing key Diageo malts like Cragganmore and Glendullan. Its very limited release of 1,000 bottles, primarily distributed to employees, makes it a rare collector's piece.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
This is a premium Blended Scotch Whisky with a 15 Year Old age statement, bottled at the higher commercial strength of 43% ABV. The volume of 75cl/750ml is common for special and export bottlings of that era. As a premium blend, it contains a higher proportion of aged single malt whiskies compared to the standard 12 Year Old. The release is a single, limited-edition run of 1,000 bottles, meaning there are no significant variants in liquid specification, ABV, or size. The difference lies only in the condition and the presence of the original box.
Documented variants
- 43% ABV, 75cl/750ml, 15 Year Old age statement, released in 1997. No other variants of this specific commemorative release are known.
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Authenticity is verified by the specific commemorative label and the low bottle count.
- Capsule/Closure: A standard Old Parr screw cap, covered by a foil capsule.
- Seals/Crests: The label should clearly state "Britain's Best Factory 1997" and the 15 Year Old age statement, often in a unique font or placement for the limited edition.
- Batch/Bottle Codes: The bottle should be individually numbered, typically on the main or back label, out of 1,000. This number is critical for verification.
- Decanter Risks: The bottle is a standard Old Parr style, but the integrity of the fill level is important for a 27-year-old blend. The condition of the accompanying box is also a major factor.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The 15 Year Old age statement is a legal guarantee. The higher 43% ABV, while common for premium export blends, is noteworthy. It is confirmed to contain added caramel colouring (E150a) for colour uniformity, standard practice for almost all major blended Scotch whiskies. Chill filtration is highly probable.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
Nose: Richer and deeper than the standard 12 Year Old blend. Notes of dried fruit, mature oak, gentle peat smoke (due to the presence of Cragganmore), and sweet honeyed malt.
Palate: Smooth, medium-bodied, with flavours of sweet toffee, winter spice (nutmeg, cinnamon), a distinct malty core, and a faint background smoke. The 15 years of ageing provides superior integration and complexity.
Finish: Long and warming, with sweet oak and a subtle dryness.
With water: Not recommended at 43% ABV.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer. (As an internal gift, it had no retail RRP.)
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £150.00 (One credible listing found.)
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer):
- £52.50 (Auction hammer, Sep 2020, likely lower condition)
- £45.00 (Auction hammer, Highest bid, Reserve not met, Late 2024, Box condition noted as poor)
Pricing stratification: Highly condition-dependent. The low bottle count (1,000) provides pricing leverage. The 43% ABV and 15 Year Old age statement are fixed premium indicators. Price is driven by the box condition and the hammer history.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Low liquidity due to the internal nature of the release. Velocity is high among Old Parr and Diageo enthusiasts when available.
