top of page

The Complete Diageo's Flora & Fauna Range Explored

Updated: Mar 5

The Diageo Flora & Fauna range is a well-known brand to some but unknown to others. This series was initially introduced in the early 1990s by United Distillers Vintners and later became known as Diageo in 1997.


Diageo Flora and Fauna range

Image by malts.com


Initially, the collection did not have a name and was recognised as a series that featured the lesser-known distilleries and their whiskies mainly meant to be a part of blends. Later, the series got its name from the famous whisky writer Michael Jackson, who named it 'Flora & Fauna' because of the animals and plants depicted on the bottles. Although most of the whisky produced by these distilleries is still mainly used for blends, the collection allowed people to try them alone, sometimes for the first time.


Diageo Flora and fauna cask strength range

Image by Whisky Online-Auctions



The Flora & Fauna range has released 26 different single malts from various Scottish distilleries over the years. In 1997, nine cask strength expressions were added, and the first 22 were released in the early 90s, mostly in 1991. Following that, four releases were made in 2001. In 2019, the latest Flora & Fauna release was introduced to the Chinese market, with 11 new cask strength versions of the 'still in production ' range being released as the first-ever Reserve Cask Private Collection.


We wanted to take a look back at the range, as many of the expressions are no longer in production. Some distilleries have been sold to other spirit producers or have been upgraded to a stand-alone brand by their owners. For years now, Diageo has instructed their representatives not to provide any more training on the series and has 'announced' the discontinuation of the range on several occasions. However, 11 of these single malts are still in production and are considered to be rare.


We have chosen not to include the cask types when providing information on the normal range, as the series is known to use colouring, which can be misleading. We are willing to acknowledge that at least Benrinnes, Blair Athol, Dailuaine, and Mortlach have a strong sherry-cask influence.


Flora and Fauna Diageo special release range

Image by Triwin


Despite its limited production, the Flora & Fauna label has a rich history with a total of 46 unique bottlings.



 

The Flora & Fauna Core Range - Bottled at 43%

All Images by The Whisky Ardvark

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Aberfeldy 15 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Auchroisk 10 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Aultmore 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Balmenach 12 year old


Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Benrinnes 15 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Bladnoch 10 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Blair Athol 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Caol Ila 15 year old


Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Clynelish 14 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Craigellachie 14 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Dailuaine 16 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Dufftown 15 year old


Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Glendullan 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Glen Elgin 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Glenlossie 10 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Glen Spey 12 year old


Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Inchgower 14 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Linkwood 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Mannochmore 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Mortlach 16 year old


Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Pittyvaich 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Rosebank 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Royal Brackla year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Speyburn 12 year old


Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Strathmill 12 year old

Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details Teaninich 10 year old


 

Cask Strength Releases


In 1997, an additional nine bottlings of cask strength releases were introduced. These expressions were created by distilling between 1980 and 1983, and bottled in 1997. Each bottle was individually numbered, although it is unclear how many bottles were released for each expression.


Diageo Flora and Fauna single malt whisky details cask strength releases

Image by The Whisky Ardvark


 

Reserve Cask Private Collection


Diageo Flora and Fauna Reserve cask Private Collection

Image by Triwin


In 2019, Diageo's single cask master, Dr Craig Wilson, worked with a private Chinese collector and Triwin Wine & Spirits to reveal and release an 11-bottle Reserve Cask Private Collection. This followed a 29-month exploration of the rare casks in Diageo's warehouses. However, before you start searching for a bottle, there are a couple of important things to note.


This set, which contains whiskies distilled between 1988 and 1997, was released exclusively for the Chinese market. As a result, it might be difficult to obtain. Additionally, only one cask of each of the 11 whiskies was bottled, making it a single-cask limited series release. Each whisky was bottled at cask strength and with some interesting cask selections.


As each cask produced a different number of bottles, ranging from 158 to 425, there are only 158 complete sets available in theory. These bottlings have been highly sought-after by Chinese whisky collectors and enthusiasts, with most of them selling out quickly after their release. It is unclear whether any of these bottles have made it to other markets. This additional Flora & Fauna gem collection is largely unknown to whisky lovers outside of China.


The Collection includes the following 11 expressions:

Auchroisk 1990 - 28 Year Old

Benrinnes 1992 - 26 Year Old

Blair Athol 1993 - 26 Year Old

Dailuaine 1990 - 29 Year Old

Glenlossie 1996 - 22 Year Old

Glen Spey 1990 - 28 Year Old

Inchgower 1990 - 28 Year Old

Linkwood 1996 - 22 Year Old

Mannochmore 1992 - 27 Year Old

Strathmill 1988 - 30 Year Old

Teaninich 1997 - 21 Year Old


Happy hunting!

All Images by The Whisky Ardvark

Diageo Flora and Fauna Reserve cask Private Collection details by bottlings

Diageo Flora and Fauna Reserve cask Private Collection details by bottlings

Diageo Flora and Fauna Reserve cask Private Collection details by bottlings

Diageo Flora and Fauna Reserve cask Private Collection details by bottlings

Diageo Flora and Fauna Reserve cask Private Collection details by bottlings

Diageo Flora and Fauna Reserve cask Private Collection details by bottlings


 

Enjoyed our article? Stay tuned to The Whisky Ardvark for more with #thewhiskyardvark #whiskyardvark



465 views0 comments

Comentarios


bottom of page