Rare Series: Dalwhinnie 36 and Convalmore 41 Continue Diageo's Collection

The second chapter of the Rare Series

From 6,978 bottles to 305: that is how much smaller the new Dalwhinnie 1989 is than the 2020 bottling. The Convalmore 1984 comes to 310 bottles, after 647 in 2021 and 3,972 in 2017.

At the end of April, Diageo launched the Rare Series with five single malts. Two more now follow: the Dalwhinnie 36 Years Old 1989 and the Convalmore 41 Years Old 1984. The theme of this chapter is the Scottish winter.

Together that is only 615 bottles. The collection now stands at seven whiskies and 2,003 bottles in total.

Dalwhinnie 36 Years Old 1989

Dalwhinnie is among the highest and coldest distilleries in Scotland. This whisky was distilled in 1989 and bottled in 2026 at 49.9% ABV. Its finish in American oak hogsheads seasoned with Amoroso lasted more than four years.

Diageo describes floral notes, honeycomb and sweet moorland on the nose, and a creamy, fruit-forward palate with pepper and a little wax. The finish is medium in length, sweet and spicy.

Convalmore 41 Years Old 1984

Convalmore in Dufftown has been closed since 1985. According to Diageo, this whisky went into oak shortly before the closure. It matured in refill American oak and was bottled in 2026 at 45.6% ABV.

On the nose, Diageo describes orange juice, papaya, mango and unripe banana, before the nose turns drier and dustier. Salted toffee and honey follow on the palate, and the finish is long and peppery.

Same vintages, far smaller runs

Neither vintage is new. Here is how the earlier official bottlings compare.

Dalwhinnie 1989: 25 years old with around 6,000 bottles (2015), 30 years old with 6,978 bottles (2020), now 36 years old with 305 bottles.

Convalmore 1984: 32 years old with 3,972 bottles (2017), 36 years old with 647 bottles (2021), now 41 years old with 310 bottles.

The 2017 bottling was at times described as the last official Convalmore. Two more have appeared since. Diageo says nothing about remaining stock. In our view, the run sizes suggest there are not many casks left from these vintages.

What links the collection

With Convalmore, the Rare Series now includes a second closed distillery. The Glenury Royal 55 Years Old 1970 also comes from a distillery where production ended in 1985.

A second link is the Amoroso cask: the Talisker 33 Years Old 1992 from the first chapter was finished in it for more than 20 years, the Dalwhinnie for more than four.

Price and availability

In the UK, Diageo lists the Dalwhinnie at around €1,316 (£1,100) and the Convalmore at around €3,470 (£2,900) per bottle. Both are offered through Diageo's private client network, where interested buyers register.

There is no fixed date for further chapters. New whiskies are due to appear when the master blenders consider them ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which new whiskies have joined the Rare Series?

The Dalwhinnie 36 Years Old 1989 at 49.9% ABV with 305 bottles and the Convalmore 41 Years Old 1984 at 45.6% ABV with 310 bottles.

How many whiskies are in the Rare Series now?

Seven: Glenury Royal, Caol Ila, Clynelish, Talisker and Blair Athol from the first chapter, plus Dalwhinnie and Convalmore. Together that is 2,003 bottles.

How much do the two new bottles cost?

In the UK, Diageo lists around €1,316 (£1,100) for the Dalwhinnie and around €3,470 (£2,900) for the Convalmore.

Why is Convalmore so rare?

The distillery in Dufftown has been closed since 1985, so only the existing casks remain. Bottlings of the 1984 vintage have shrunk from 3,972 to 310 bottles.