Rare Find

In the world of Scotch whisky, few names resonate with the quiet authority and careful precision of Gleann Mór Spirits. Since its founding in 2013 by Derek Mair in Edinburgh, the independent bottler has earned a reputation for curating some of the most distinctive single malts available today. Among its standout achievements is the Rare Find series – a label that represents the pinnacle of what can be discovered in Scotland’s vast sea of maturing casks.

A heritage rooted in rarity

Though Gleann Mór began on a modest industrial estate in Leith, the brand’s ambition was always clear: to seek out whiskies of rare character and craft. Over the years, the company has expanded, and now operating a significantly larger bonded warehouse, home to a rich and varied inventory of maturing casks.

While the company bottles for a number of ranges – including Leith Still Room and Raise Your Spirits – it is Rare Find that defines the heart of its whisky philosophy. Introduced in 2015, Rare Find is the company’s most exclusive and uncompromising line, reserved for singularly special bottlings from Scotland's most sought-after distilleries.

The art of independent bottling

Independent bottlers like Gleann Mór play a unique role in the Scotch whisky landscape. Rather than producing spirit themselves, they select existing casks from distilleries – sometimes even from defunct or rarely accessed sources – and bottle them under their own label. This model allows for exceptional flexibility and creativity, especially when it comes to maturation and finishing.

Every Rare Find expression begins with a meticulous selection process. From the more than 20 million casks maturing across Scotland at any given time, only a small proportion are ever destined to be bottled as single malts. Of these, Gleann Mór identifies only the most promising candidates – casks that show both individuality and excellence.

Once chosen, each cask is monitored closely, and often re-racked or finished in superior-quality wood to refine the character of the whisky. The result is an unrepeatable expression – often single cask, always limited – that reflects both the original distillate and the independent bottler’s vision for its final form.

A whisky of deliberate design

Rare Find is not simply about scarcity. It is about intention. Every element – from the choice of distillery and cask to the duration and conditions of ageing – is designed to produce whisky that is rare by its very nature, not just its availability.

This philosophy also extends to presentation. Each bottle reflects the gravitas of the liquid within, and every expression serves as a celebration of distilling heritage and contemporary craft. There is no standardised house style here – the variation from one bottling to the next is part of the appeal, and each tells a different story of place, time and technique.

Exploring the collection

The Rare Find range includes whiskies of varying ages and regional styles, unified by a commitment to quality and individuality. These often include single cask expressions and limited small-batch editions, many from distilleries with cult followings or closed histories. While each whisky is unique, you can expect well-defined characteristics shaped by both the original distillate and the maturation choices.

For example, a Highland single malt finished in a first-fill sherry cask might display rich dried fruits, baking spices and a long, warming finish. A coastal Speyside whisky from an ex-bourbon barrel may reveal notes of green apple, vanilla and sea spray. These bottlings are often at natural cask strength, preserving the whisky’s full character.

A journey worth sharing

“Our approach to Rare Find is one of constant discovery,” says the team at Gleann Mór. “It’s an honour to be working with some of the best distillate and some of the casks from around the world to curate these releases. We look forward to sharing our journey – and a dram – with you.”

For whisky drinkers drawn to character, craftsmanship and discovery, Rare Find offers more than just a bottle. It offers a glimpse into the rare and exceptional – one cask, one story, one dram at a time.