Whyte & Mackay The Whisky Of 1990
75cl / 40%
£99.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
Tasting Notes
Toffee, Vanilla, Honey and Caramel
Soft Fruits, Honey, Oak and Pepper
Short Finish, Roasted Oak and Butterscotch
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A limited, niche commemorative bottling celebrating the historical designation of Glasgow as the European City of Culture for 1990.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Whyte & Mackay Distillers / Scotland, Blended Scotch |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky (Commemorative Edition) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | No Age Statement (NAS) / Bottled 1990 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV, 75cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Not stated by the producer |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | No |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Limited edition run (Volume unknown) |
| Intended channel | Retail / Regional Commemorative Local Market |
| Packaging | Standard glass bottle, specific "Glasgow Cultural Capital" commemorative label |
| Notes on discrepancies | Size is 75cl, a volume still transitional in 1990, alongside 70cl standardisation. |
Historical Context
The release of The Whisky Of 1990 was commissioned to celebrate Glasgow’s pivotal designation as the European City of Culture in 1990. This honour served as a crucial moment in the city’s transformation and cultural resurgence. Whyte & Mackay (W&M), maintaining a strong operational presence in the city, produced this commemorative blend to align with the significant municipal event.
In contrast to the high-ornamentation ceramic decanters favored by Bell’s, this W&M release typically uses a standard glass bottle format. Consequently, the collectible focus is placed almost entirely on the label provenance and the bottle’s specific historical association with the 1990 event.
The large disparity between the Original RRP (GBP 59.99) and the consistent auction hammer price (consistently GBP 20.00) confirms a pronounced market dynamic: this particular bottling is treated as a highly localised souvenir with minimal intrinsic liquid value. The value is entirely reliant on the niche appeal of the 1990 Glasgow commemorative theme. This high retail price versus the low hammer price indicates that the original retail channel significantly overestimated the premium value of the commemoration, while the secondary market firmly establishes a minimal floor price for the historical artefact. Inventory listed significantly above this auction floor price is likely to exhibit very poor market liquidity.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The technical specification of this standard bottling is consistently documented across sources as 75cl volume and bottled at 40% ABV. This adheres to the legal minimum bottling strength for Scotch whisky.
The consistently observed GBP 20 hammer price confirms that the market places virtually no intrinsic premium on the liquid quality or brand name for this specific bottling.
Documented variants
The most prevalent documented formats are the full 75cl bottle and collectible miniature versions.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 75cl | UK/EU | Glasgow Cultural Capital 1990 label | Moderate (Niche commemorative appeal, low liquid value) |
| 40% | Miniature (5cl) | UK/EU | Glasgow Cultural Capital 1990 label | Low (Niche collectible, minimal monetary value) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
The bottle is standard glass, usually sealed with a screw cap. Authentication relies on the clear presence of the specific "Glasgow Cultural Capital of Europe 1990" designation on the label. Given the low inherent value of the liquid, perfect label and bottle condition are necessary to justify or achieve the low benchmark hammer prices.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The blend carries a No Age Statement (NAS) and is bottled at the minimum legal strength of 40% ABV.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
Dedicated, verifiable tasting notes for this specific commemorative blend are not widely documented. It is assumed that the liquid profile aligns with the standard Whyte & Mackay house style prevalent in 1990.
Nose: Not stated by the producer.
Palate: Not stated by the producer.
Finish: Not stated by the producer.
With water: Not stated by the producer.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The market for this item is characterised by low liquidity and a large gap between historical retail expectations and current achievable prices.
Original RRP (GBP): GBP 59.99.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): GBP 59.99 – Approx GBP 80.75.
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): GBP 20.00.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Auction (UK) | 30/09/2018 | Full Size, 75cl, 40% ABV | 20.00 | Hammer price only |
| Auction (UK) | Recent | Full Size, 75cl, 40% ABV | 20.00 | Hammer price only |
| Retail (UK) | Current | Full Size, 75cl, 40% ABV | 59.99 | Static retail listing |
| Retail (EU) | Current | 75cl, 40% ABV | 80.75 | High European retail ask |
The consistently observed GBP 20 hammer price confirms that the market places virtually no intrinsic premium on the liquid quality for this specific bottling.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is low. Sourcing should focus on competitive acquisition near the GBP 20 auction floor.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Whyte & Mackay operates as a major blending house focused on volume and consistency. The bottle is valued as a benchmark of 1990 standards, appealing solely within the regional collector market.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras: 75cl, 40% ABV bottles with verified 1990 commemorative labelling. Crucially, buyers should avoid overpaying relative to the established GBP 20 auction floor.
Red flags to avoid: Paying a premium significantly above the established auction floor.
Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Full liquid level, intact seal, and a pristine label are necessary.
Margin/velocity expectations—qualitative: Margin expectations must be set low, with moderate velocity expected solely within the regional collector market.
