The Classic Malt series was launched by United Distillers and Vintners (now Diageo) in 1988 and is regarded as a pivotal movement in introducing newcomers to the world of single malt scotch whiskies.

The original six whiskies included in the series in 1990-2000s presented on a specially designed wood and brass plinth.

Glenkinchie 10 Year Old 43% 70cl

Lagavulin 16 Year Old White Horse 43% 70cl

Oban 14 Year Old 43% 75cl

Cragganmore 12 Year Old 40% 70cl

Talisker 10 Year Old Stone Label 45.8% 70cl

Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old 43% 70cl

*Can be sold separately 7 items.

Diageo was formed in 1997 by the merger of the Guinness Group and Grand Metropolitan. The subsidiary United Distillers & Vintners (UDV) was created by combining the Guinness-owned United Distillers (UD) and Grand Metropolitan’s International Distillers & Vintners (IDV) businesses.

Diageo inherited a rich whisky heritage in terms of distilleries and brands. 

Abbot's Choice, Ainslie's, Alloa, Antique, Auchroisk, Banff, Bell's, Benmore, Benrinnes, Black & White, Blair Athol, Brora, Buchanan's, Bulloch Lade, Caledonian, Cambus, Cameron Brig, Cameronbridge, Caol Ila, Cardhu, Carsebridge, Chequers, Clynelish, Coleburn, Convalmore, Cragganmore, Craig Athol, Crawford's, Dailuaine, Dallas Dhu, Dalwhinnie, Dimple, Dufftown, Fifty First, Gilbey's, Glen Albyn, Glen Elgin, Glen Ila, Glen Mhor, Glen Ord, Glen Spey, Glendullan, Glenesk, Glenkinchie, Glenleven, Glenlochy, Glenlossie, 
Glenury Royal, Golden Age, Haig, Haig Club, Harvey's Special, Heather Dew, Highland Nectar, Hillside, Hopkins' Navy Supreme, House of Commons, Huntly, Inchgower, J&B, John Begg, Johnnie Walker, King George IV, King's Legend, Knockando, Lagavulin, Laird O'Logan, Leven, Linkwood, Loch Dhu, Logan, Mackie's, Mannochmore, McCallum's, Millburn, Mortlach, Munro's, North of Scotland, North Port, Oban, Old Angus, Old Curio, Old Parr, Pedigree, Peter Dawson's Special, Pittyvaich, Port Dundas, Port Ellen, President, Real McTavish, Red Tape, Robbie Burns, Robertson's Yellow Label, Roseisle, Royal Household, Royal Lochnagar, Sanderson's, Sandy Macdonald, St Magdalene, Strathconon, Strathmill, Strathspey, Talisker, Teaninich, The Singleton, Vat 69, White Horse, Windsor, Wright & Greigs, Ye Whisky of Ye Monks

Diageo spent £40 million creating the vast Roseisle malt distillery near Elgin, which opened in 2010. Two years later the company announced that it would invest £1 billion in Scotch whisky production over the following five years, with the aim of increasing capacity by at least 30%. This was to involve major upgrades at a number of distilleries and the creation of an entirely new large-scale malt distillery alongside Teaninich in the Highlands, though that part of the programme was postponed as Scotch whisky sales began to slow in some international markets. In 2013, Diageo acquired a majority stake in India's United Spirits group for £1.28 billion, giving it greater access to the potentially highly lucrative Indian market for brands such as Johnnie Walker.