North British 28 Year
50.8% ABV Lowland Bourbon Barrel
$205.00 | Pre Order Available
Price on arrival $225.00 You save $20.00 (8%)
Estimated Import Arrival May 15, 2026

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FTW TARTAN ARMY NORTH BRITISH 1998, SINGLE GRAIN

Distilled the day Scotland played Brazil in 1998

About Finn Thomson Whisky

The Official Whisky of the Tartan Army, selected by Finn Thomson, ninth generation of Scotland's oldest whisky family. A limited edition release marking Scotland's return to the World Cup after 28 years of waiting.

Every bottle sold donates to the Tartan Army Children's Charity (TACC). Three tiers across single malt and single grain, each carrying the Lion Rampant in official Tartan Army tartan, blind-embossed with gold foil on G.F Smith coltskin paper.

Region Lowland Distillery North British Age Vintage 1998 ABV 50.8% Cask Bourbon Barrel Outturn 220 bottles Collection Tartan Army Tier 2

A Tier 2 Tartan Army release. Single grain Scotch whisky from North British, distilled in 1998, the last year Scotland appeared at a World Cup. Bourbon barrel matured for nearly three decades.

Distilled June 1998. Bottled March 2026. Cask strength 50.8%, non-chill filtered, natural colour. 220 bottles. Imported exclusively by The Whiskey Lab.

Given time and care, grain whisky can rival even the finest single malts. Finn Thomson

Distillery profile, North British

  • Founded in 1885 in Edinburgh, North British is one of Scotland's oldest and largest grain whisky distilleries.
  • A cornerstone of many classic blended whiskies, including the Thomson family's Beneagles.
  • Naturally sweet and creamy in character, North British grain rewards long maturation, developing tropical fruit, vanilla, and rum-like depth with age.
  • Independent bottlings from this era are increasingly rare, making 1998 vintage casks particularly meaningful.

The story of this cask

The significance of 1998 is not lost on the Tartan Army. It was the last time Scotland appeared at a World Cup, and the memory of that campaign, the hope and heartbreak, has shaped a generation of football fans.

This cask was filled the very year Scotland played Brazil at the World Cup. 27 years in an ex-bourbon barrel have transformed the spirit, revealing a generous spectrum of sweet tropical fruit notes that evoke memories of a beautifully aged Caribbean rum.

With almost three decades in cask, time has allowed this whisky to shine through in its own right. Mature grain whisky has a unique ability to draw sweetness from oak, and when combined with the naturally oily texture of the spirit, the result is wonderfully indulgent. Notes of rum and raisin ice cream glide across the palate, rich and comforting.

Tasting notes
Nose
Tropical and decadent. Pineapple, mango, and banana lead, drawing comparison to aged Caribbean rum. Vanilla, caramel, and toasted coconut sit underneath. Three decades in ex-bourbon bring a deep, honeyed sweetness with a hint of brown sugar and polished wood.
Palate
Oily and rich. Rum and raisin ice cream coats the mouth first, then pineapple tarte tatin, vanilla custard, and a creamy butterscotch layer. Grain whisky at this age develops a uniquely silky texture. Mid-palate adds toasted coconut, light oak tannin, and a hint of dark honey.
Finish
Long and creamy. Tropical fruit and vanilla linger well past a minute. Oak emerges late, drying the tongue with a gentle spice. A finish that proves mature grain whisky deserves the same respect as any single malt.
Specification Details
Brand Finn Thomson Whisky
Collection Official Tartan Army Whisky (Tier 2)
Whisky style Single grain Scotch whisky
Region Lowland
Distillery North British
Vintage 1998
ABV 50.8%
Volume 700 ml
Cask Bourbon Barrel
Distillation date 10 June 1998
Bottling date 24 March 2026
Cask number 701156
Outturn 220 bottles
Cask strength Yes
Non-chill filtered Yes
Natural colour Yes
Charity Donates to Tartan Army Children's Charity