Flora and Fauna Series

Whisky writer Michael Jackson gave this series its name - not because of its content, but because of the floral and faunal illustrations on the labels, which differed between the 22 original bottlings only in their motif. In 1991, United Distillers, the precursor to today's Diageo group, launched this range to give smaller, otherwise little-known distilleries from its own portfolio their first ever single malt bottling - distilleries whose output almost entirely disappeared into blended Scotch. Of the original 22 bottlings, only around eleven remain regularly available today; some vanished when the distillery closed, others through sale, or because they later received their own dedicated brand range.

Where does the name "Flora & Fauna" come from?

The name was not officially assigned by United Distillers but coined by whisky writer Michael Jackson - referring to the uniform presentation of the series, which differed only in its floral and faunal label illustrations.

Why does the series exist at all?

Many of the distilleries involved produced almost exclusively for blended Scotch and had never had their own single malt bottling. Flora & Fauna gave both fans and distillery staff their first chance to taste these whiskies neat.

Facts and figures

Introduced 1991 by United Distillers, originally 22 bottlings. Name coined by Michael Jackson. Around eleven bottlings still regularly available today. Currently available is Mannochmore 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna.