"Ne Plus Ultra" Scotch Whisky

[SGS75]

Hello all,

I've recently come into possession of an unopened green-coloured bottle of "Ne Plus Ultra - Scotch Whisky De Luxe - 12 Years Old" distributed by John Dewar & Sons Ltd. - Perth, Scotland (see attached pic).

I am trying to locate information on this product. Specifically, I am trying to determine approximately when this product may have been bottled, the price of this product and any other historical or interesting information on this product.

Thank you so much in advance for any information that anyone can provide!!

Chris :)

[Jojo]

Hey there Chris - this is what we know about Ne Ultra Plus....it was one of Dewar's main deluxe brands sometime around 1907 - along with Victoria Vat. Ne Ultra Plus was first registered as a trademark in 1909. In 1954, Victoria Vat was re-named Ancestor, although Ne Plus Ultra continued to be sold in certain markets on a small scale. In Canada, Ne Plus Ultra continued as Dewar's deluxe brand, however, the final shipments of Ne Plus Ultra went to Canada in 1997 - Dewar’s no longer produces this product. Ne Plus Ultra does sometimes come up at auction or in old whisky shops, but not very often and if you do find it, it's likely to be a bit expensive.

As for value, if you're in the US, contact Park Avenue Liquors (212-685-2442) or the Brandy Library (212-226-5545) - both do valuations. If you're in Europe, try McTears.com or Bonhams.com Let us know what you find out so we can post here for all to see.

[SGS75]

Hi Jojo,

Thank you so much for the response. I am actually located in Canada...Vancouver to be exact. I visited a local liquor store and they suggested that I contact Bacardi as this is who distributes Dewar's products in Canada...perhaps, N. America?

I have sent a message to Bacardi using their general comments option on the company's website. If I receive a response with any useful information, then I will reply to this thread with that information.

Chris

[Jojo]

Chris - keep me posted. And, if possible, try to post a close-up and clear photo of the coat of arms on the label - which may be able to help date your bottle. Here is a rough guide for dating older Dewar's bottles - 1. A date on the bottom right hand corner of the label (for example 5/22 = May 1922). 2. See if there are any numbers on the back of the label, if there are, let me know. 3. The coat of arms is another way to possibly date your bottle as mentioned above. Also, in 1927, Dewar's replaced corks with metal spring caps and these were later replaced by modern screw caps (which yours has) in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

[Apuro]

Hi
Can you explain the number on the back of the label, I also am trying to date a bottle of Dewar's White Label, it has the clip type cap, it has by appointment to "Her Majesty" I believe that happen in 1955, the number is 61-442 so am wondering if the first group indicates the year i.e 1961.
This bottle I have just been given is unopened and good condition.

[Jojo]

Hi
Can you explain the number on the back of the label, I also am trying to date a bottle of Dewar's White Label, it has the clip type cap, it has by appointment to "Her Majesty" I believe that happen in 1955, the number is 61-442 so am wondering if the first group indicates the year i.e 1961.
This bottle I have just been given is unopened and good condition.

Apuro - Some later bottles include a date on the reverse side of the label - such as yours. A reference on the reverse side of the label such as ‘43-66’ means that the whisky was bottled in 1943 - therefore it is safe to say that yours is dated 1961. In 1956, Dewar's obtained the Royal Warrant of Queen Elizabeth II (the present Queen) 'By appointment to Her Majesty the Queen'. A bottle of this period can usually be distinguished from one of Queen Victoria’s by the general modern appearance of the bottle, and the method of closure. Hope this is helpful to you!

[waltersb]

I just happened onto a bottle of this stuff... and enjoyed 1/2 of it with friends last weekend (it had been previously opened)

I have the screw on cap so it's a later version... what the label doesn't have is a date on the front or anything that says it's '12 years old'

I don't really want to try to take the label off.

Rich

[bkblankenship]

I just happened onto a bottle of this stuff... and enjoyed 1/2 of it with friends last weekend (it had been previously opened)

I have the screw on cap so it's a later version... what the label doesn't have is a date on the front or anything that says it's '12 years old'

I don't really want to try to take the label off.

Rich

Hi,

Dewar's bottled two versions of the NE PLUS ULTRA. One with no age statement and one with an age statement The age statement was not printed on the bottle label itself, but the age statement had a separate neck label of 12-Years-Old. The no age statement bottling had a ribbon wrapped around the neck and dangled with a wax seal holding it in place. These were the old BROWN BOTTLES. A GREEN bottle came later.

Ne Plus Ultra, De Luxe Blended Scotch Whisky
Ne Plus Ultra 12 YO, De Luxe Blended Scotch Whisky

Although most bottles have a code, there is the rare instance, one may not. Also, to confuse matters even more, the screw cap first appeared in the mid-1920s on the WHITE HORSE brand.

Circa 1970s a green bottle was sold with the 12-Year-Old age statement printed on the label and neck.

[sctwy99]

I was introduced to your whiskey in 1980, and I loved it. Where or how can I purchase Ne Plus Ultra for personal consumption?

Why the icons?

[Unregistered]

Just finished half a bottle of ne plus ulta with another widow lady friend. We were celebrating Labor Day, or something.

We both like scotch; I especially like single malt scotch. She was cleaning out stuff after her husband died and found this which they had had for years and were saving ... We watched Mama Mia and had some pretty good munchies.

We both appreciated it very much. There must be another holiday coming to finish it off.

[Unregistered]

Mine has not been opened, does not have 12 yrs on it, hase the wire spring top. Back label states Lima Peru. Image attached. Can anyone tell me the age?
Thanks

[Jojo]

Mine has not been opened, does not have 12 yrs on it, hase the wire spring top. Back label states Lima Peru. Image attached. Can anyone tell me the age?
Thanks

Possibly, but we need photos! You'll need to register first. Let us know if you need help. :D

[Unregistered]

Back in the mid-70's we were drinking Ne Plus Ultra scotch in a pub in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, USA. It was served as scotch and water with bottled water from Ne Plus Ultra that was said to be the water used in the blending of the scotch. You may have heard the comment "smooth as velvet on the tongue"; that drink was. It must have been the water bottled by Ne Plus Ultra. Has any one else run across that Ne Plus Ultra water?

[annaowen]

nice!...:)

[wacky]

I am wondering if anyone has a bottle - preferably full but empty will do - of Ne Plus Ultra for sale ?

[Unregistered]

I heard long ago from a liquor distributor that Ne Plus Ultra came with its own bottle of water, the water allegedly carried down from the Scottish Highlands by vestal virgins (whatever that means). Has anyone got a photo of the bottle of water?