Speyside Single Malt 25 Year Old Billy’s Whisky Barrel / Whiskyfest 2017
70cl / 45%
£219.00
- Region: Speyside
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A truly rare, quarter-century old, undisclosed Speyside single cask bottled exclusively for a 2017 Belgian festival.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Undisclosed Speyside Distillery / Billy's Whisky Barrel (Independent Bottler) / Scotland (Speyside) |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 25 Years Old / Vintage Not Explicitly Stated (likely early 1990s distillate) / Bottled 2017 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 45% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Single Cask (Type undisclosed, profile suggests refill sherry or active bourbon/hogshead influence) |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the bottler. (Independent bottlers often use natural colour, but confirmation is unavailable.) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the bottler. |
| Cask Strength | No (Bottled at 45% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 66 bottles (Festival Bottling #1 for G&B Whisky Fest 2017) |
| Intended channel | Exclusive Festival Release (G&B Whisky Fest, Oostende, Belgium) |
| Packaging | Standard Billy's Whisky Barrel presentation |
| Notes on discrepancies | Must be differentiated from common 40% ABV "Speyside" Distillery bottlings. This is a unique independent bottling. |
Historical Context
This 25 Year Old Single Malt is defined entirely by its extreme rarity and exclusive purpose. It was commissioned for the G&B Whisky Fest in Oostende, Belgium, and designated as their Festival Bottling #1 for the 2017 event.
The true significance of this whisky is encapsulated in its outturn: only 66 bottles were yielded from the single cask. This makes the bottle one of the most scarcely released 25-year-old expressions of its vintage available on the market. This scarcity solidifies its position as a highly desirable collector's trophy where exclusivity and age supersede the lack of explicit distillery provenance.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The liquid is verified as a Single Malt Scotch Whisky, aged for a full 25 years. It was bottled in 2017 at a strength of 45% ABV in a 70cl format. The decision to bottle at 45% ABV suggests the bottler intentionally reduced the strength to optimise the flavour profile of this long-aged spirit, aiming to mitigate excessive wood influence while retaining concentration and body.
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 45% | 70cl | Exclusive Festival (G&B Whisky Fest) | Outturn of 66 bottles / Bottled 2017 | Highest (Unique and definitive format) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
As a rare, single-cask festival bottling, authenticity is confirmed by several highly specific markers. Collectors must verify the independent bottler (Billy's Whisky Barrel), the specific festival designation (G&B Whiskyfest 2017 / Festival Bottling #1), and the explicit outturn of 66 bottles printed on the label.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The liquid conforms to all regulations for Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The age statement is iron-clad, guaranteeing every drop spent at least 25 years maturing in oak casks in Scotland. Many collectors assume NCF and Natural Colour for such independent single cask releases.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The tasting notes available point towards a rich, complex, and mature malt profile, suggesting a robust cask influence over the quarter-century of maturation.
- Nose: Exhibits notes of icing, rich fruit cake, and prominent Christmas spices. Underlying dry Sherry notes are consistently present, indicating significant interaction with active sherry wood.
- Palate: Described as rich and chewy, signifying a viscous and substantial mouthfeel. The flavour delivers distinct dunnage Sherry notes, intertwined with ample dried fruits and spice.
- Finish: Warming and long-lasting, dominated by lingering spice, dried fruit, and pronounced Sherry characteristics.
- With water: Not stated by the producer.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
- Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Specialist retailers list this bottle at approximately £219.00, reflecting the rarity and desirability.
- Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): Comparable rare, aged, undisclosed Speyside malts typically achieve hammer prices in the £100.00–£140.00 range. The retail price for the Billy's Whisky Barrel release suggests it commands a premium due to its festival exclusivity.
- Pricing stratification: Pricing is highly sensitive to the low bottle count (66). This is a collector’s piece, valued for its historical context and scarcity.
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| UK Specialist Retailer | Recent | 70cl / 45% | £219.00 | Current asking price reflecting limited outturn |
| Online Auction (Proxy: Speyside 25 YO, Ltd Edition) | Nov 2020 | 75cl / 43% | £115.00 | Indicates base auction value for similar aged, rare Speyside malts |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Billy's Whisky Barrel is focused on sourcing exclusive, low-volume, single-cask expressions, prioritising the quality of the liquid and the unique cask story.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras: Only bottles explicitly tied to the G&B Whiskyfest 2017 bottling, confirming the 25 Year Old age statement and 45% ABV. Acquisition is almost exclusively through auction or specialist brokers due to the tiny outturn.
Red flags to avoid: The primary red flag is any Speyside 25 Year Old bottling lacking the Billy's Whisky Barrel/Festival designation. The specific 45% ABV is a key marker to avoid lower-strength versions.
Condition thresholds: Pristine condition is paramount. Collectors will expect minimal label wear and, ideally, original supplementary packaging.
Margin/velocity expectations: Velocity is inherently low given the extreme scarcity (66 bottles). However, margins are high, as the product is positioned firmly in the collector tier.
