The biggest collection of whiskies in the world has, surprisingly, not been in Scotland but in Brazil. That is now being put right as the collection that was built up over the years by Claive Vidiz, a Brazilian whisky lover, has been bought by the whisky manufacturer, Diageo. It will be put on show in a specially-designed vault in the Scotch Whisky Experience, one of Edinburgh's leading visitor attractions.
The Collection
Claive Vidiz amassed the world's largest whisky collection over a period of 35 years, and when he sold it to Diageo for an undisclosed sum it amounted to 3,384 bottles. One of the highlights is a bottle of Dimple Pinch, which was the most expensive limited edition bottle of Scotch whisky on the market when Claive Vidiz paid $1000 for it in 1969. Another rarity, as there are only 100 bottles in the world, is a Strathmill single malt that was produced to celebrate the distillery's 100th anniversary. Some were given to heads of state and other VIPs, and one was given to Claive Vidiz for his collection.
Diageo's collection is being loaned to Edinburgh's Scotch Whisky Experience, and a special vault is currently being built to house the bottles. The vault is only part of a £2 million refurbishment of the Scotch Whisky Experience, which attracts 200,000 visitors every year.
The Experience is already one of Edinburgh's leading tourist attractions. A ride in a whisky barrel shows visitors the history of Scottish whisky making, teaches the differences between malt whiskies, grain whiskies and blended whiskies, and ends with the most popular part of the visit, a tutored whisky tasting session. There is also a Whisky Training School, for anyone who wants a deeper appreciation and understanding of Scotch whisky, while the Amber Restaurant naturally offers good Scottish food and a fine selection of whiskies to go with it.
Diageo may not be a name that springs readily to mind when thinking of Scotch whisky, but they produce almost 50 million cases of leading brands of Scotch every year. Names under the Diageo umbrella include Johnnie Walker, Old Parr, Spey Royal, The Real MacKenzie, Singleton, and VAT 69, as well as the Irish whiskey Bushmills, and Seagram's from Canada. Many of the whisky brands are better-known outside Scotland, as 90% of Diageo's Scotch whisky production goes overseas. It's highly appropriate, then, that Diageo have now brought the world's largest whisky collection back to Scotland
Mike Gerrard - Mike is an award-winning travel writer who has worked for National Geographic, the London Times, and many other clients. ...
Join the Conversation