News that the distillery was planning the bottling was first reported on Drinksint.com in July.

First available in the US for $3,500, the vintage expression will be rolled out the brand’s other “focus markets”: the UK, France, Russia and countries in south east Asia.

The 1969 Vintage numbers just 999 bottles and, as is the house style, is un-chill-filtered and naturally coloured.

Bottled at its natural strength of 41.4%, the whisky has matured for the 43 years in American oak, ex-bourbon remade hogshead casks.

International Beverage Holdings said that in 1969, spirit at the distillery was made from coal-fired stills and barley was malted on site.

Distillery manager John MacDonald said: “This extraordinary, venerable vintage has spent several decades slowly maturing – it has taken enormous discipline to wait this long to bottle it.

“I’m confident whisky enthusiasts around the world will agree when I say it has been worth the wait.”