Old Parr whiskies

History

The brand was born in the 19th century at the hands of the Greenlees brothers, whisky merchants who chose the legendary figure of Thomas Parr to convey the idea of an old, wise whisky. Its square, crackled bottle, inspired by old earthenware vessels, became its hallmark, and there is a custom of balancing it on one of its edges as a small bar trick. Over time the brand passed to the Distillers Company and then to Diageo, which has kept it as a mid-range 12-year-old blend.

House style

Old Parr’s malt heart is Cragganmore, a Speyside distillery with a complex character, and that shows in a blend richer than average: ripe fruit, raisins, honey, spice and a touch of gentle smoke. It has good texture and a medium, warm finish. It is a 12-year-old with personality, enjoyed neat, with a little ice or with water, as it is often drunk in Japan.

Where to start

Old Parr 12 is the catalogue’s entry. If you like it, it’s interesting to compare its character with Cragganmore 12, the malt at its heart, to see what it brings to the blend. Other 12-year-olds in a similar style are Buchanan’s DeLuxe 12 and Dewar’s 12. If you’re looking for something older in the same vein, an 18-year-old blend such as Buchanan’s 18 or Johnnie Walker 18 will show you how this style evolves with more time in cask.

• Old Parr 12 Year OldBlend · 40% ABV