{"title":"Miniatures","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"glenfarclas-10-year-old-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1990s-5cl-miniature","title":"Glenfarclas 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlenfarclas 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mini version of the 1990s 10 Year Old Release. A smart addition to the collection of Glenfarclas or a much older and still direct fire distilled Oloroso sherry matured drink to sneak at the Golf course. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout J \u0026amp; G Grant, Glenfarclas Distillery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlenfarclas means \"The Valley of the Green Grass\" in Gaelic, and the skilled Scots obtain the water used in the distillation from a small spring that rises from the beautiful and dramatic Ben Rinnes. The distillery is located at the foot of the heather-covered mountain, where the water spurts out from the underlying granite when the winter snow melts. The combination of the very pure, soft water and the unique shape of the pot stills that Glenfarclas uses contributes to the distillery's unique Highland Single Malts .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlenfarclas Distillery has been family-owned since 1865, and it is the Grant family who have established the Scotch whisky distillery as one of the best in the world. Glenfarclas is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries that are still family-owned. Since 1865, the distillery has been in the hands of the same family: The Grants. John Grant was actually a cattle farmer when he bought Recherlich Farm and Glenfarclas Distillery in 1865 for £511. It is six generations of whisky knowledge that benefits us consumers today. This continuity has made it possible for Glenfarclas to still use older ways of making whisky. Not because of romance and a longing for history. Glenfarclas is a success, and rightly so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs George Grant, the sixth generation of the family, puts it: \"We've lived through 22 recessions. We make the whisky we can afford to make and never borrow money to make it.\" During the 1980s, when the whisky industry itself was cutting back on production, Glenfarclas's was on the rise. Glenfarclas has larger volumes in stock than most distilleries. A reluctance to independent bottlers using the distillery's name on their (rare) offerings has also helped maintain a strong identity for the Glenfarclas brand itself. Glenfarclas also insists on maturing its whiskies in ex- sherry casks . This helps the whisky achieve greater body, complexity and sweetness. It's no small operation, and today they have 80,000 casks for ageing. Since 1989 they have come from Spain, specifically Huelva near Jerez - and they do so almost every month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e70cl\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glenfarclas","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791468884306,"sku":"GLFAR1090SMINI","price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Photoroom_20250331_121516.jpg?v=1771961025"},{"product_id":"bunnahabhain-12-year-old-old-style-islay-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1990s-5cl-miniature","title":"Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Old Style Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBunnahabhain 12 Year Old Old Style Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA miniature from the late 80s \/ early 90s with the old style 12 Year Old whisky from Bunnahabhain. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBunnahabhain is a substantial Victorian distillery which smacks of the confidence of that period. Everything about it is large, from the huge courtyard to the stills. It is these with their low fill levels and massive amount of available copper which help to craft what has always been a light style of malt. Ageing has traditionally been in ex-Sherry casks which adds a sumptuous sweet richness to the spirit though quite where the spicy ginger note, which is a marker for Bunna’, comes from is unclear. Occasionally refill casks show an almost salty edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough peat levels had dropped to virtually nothing from the 1960s onwards, Bunna’ did start life smokier than it is now, something which Burn Stewart is reviving. These days, around 20% of production is heavily peated, destined for a variety of bottlings, the main one being Toiteach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIslay’s remote north east coast might seem a strange place to find a substantial Victorian distillery, but it was chosen in 1881 by William Robertson (of Robertson \u0026amp; Baxter) in partnership with Greenlees Bros. as the perfect spot for his island vision. Constructing it meant not only building the distillery but houses as well, putting in a road, and adding on a pier so that casks and barley could come in, and whisky go out. It cost Robertson £30,000 (£2.6m in today’s money). In 1887, when Bunnahabhain merged with Glenrothes, Highland Distillers [now Edrington] was formed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile other Islay distilleries sold their make as single malts and for blending, Bunna’s destiny was always with the latter. While it was used across the industry, it performed a central role in three R\u0026amp;B blends: Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and, in time, Black Bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRapid growth for Scotch in the early 1960s saw the stills being doubled in 1963, the same year as the floor maltings came out. Its good fortunes weren’t to last and like many distilleries it was mothballed in 1982. Although this only lasted two years, production levels were kept low for many years. By the end of the 1980s it was finally ready to emerge as a single malt with the tag-line ‘the unpronounceable malt’. The vast bulk of its make was however still making its way into blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite an upturn in the whisky market, Edrington sold it (while retaining fillings contracts) in 2003 to Burn Stewart for £10m. Burn Stewart itself was owned by Trinidad-based conglomerate CL Financial which went spectacularly bust in 2009. In 2013 CL’s receivers sold Burn Stewart to its long-term South African distributor, Distell. Since then production levels have increased as have sales of the single malt – with significant success in Africa and Taiwan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2017 Distell announced an £11 million investment in upgrading Bunnahabhain’s ‘scruffy’ appearance, and transform the site into a ‘world-class whisky destination’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three-year upgrade programme began in 2019 with the demolition of shoreline warehouses, which will make way for a new visitor centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bunnahabhain","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791498015058,"sku":"BUN1290SMINI","price":21.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Bunnahabhain12YearOldOldStyleIslaySingleMaltScotchWhisky_1990s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1771961747"},{"product_id":"old-pulteney-8-year-old-gordon-macphail-macpherson-rare-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Old Pulteney 8 Year Old Gordon \u0026 Macphail Macpherson Rare Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOld Pulteney 8 Year Old Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Macpherson Rare Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn older 1980s Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Miniature of a previously released 8 Year Old Old Pulteney. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"product-navigation\"\u003eAbout Old Pulteney \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cnav class=\"product-navigation\"\u003e\u003c\/nav\u003e\u003cnav class=\"product-navigation\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eOld Pulteney single malt is distilled in the historic Caithness fishing port of Wick at the Pulteney distillery, and appropriately is marketed by owner Inver House Distillers as ‘The Genuine Maritime Malt’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many years Old Pulteney was only available from independent bottlers such as Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail, but under the ownership of Inver House, distillery bottlings have proliferated, with the best-selling 12-year-old expression achieving strong sales in many international markets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the 12-year-old, other core variants of Old Pulteney include 12, 17, 21 and 35-year-old expressions, along with the NAS Voyager. Stylistically, Old Pulteney is sweet, fruity and malty, with an edge of salt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery is equipped with a single pair of highly individual stills, with condensing taking place in a pair of stainless steel worm tubs. Both stills boast large boil balls, and the wash still has a unique, truncated, flat-topped appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePulteney distillery was established in 1826 in the newly-developed Pulteneytown area of Wick by James Henderson, who had previously distilled at Stemster, near Halkirk, some 15 miles away. After almost a century of operation, Pulteney was acquired by the Dundee blending firm of James Watson \u0026amp; Co in 1920.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFive years later, Watson’s was absorbed into the Distillers Company, having previously been purchased by John Dewar \u0026amp; Sons. In 1930 production ceased at Pulteney, due to the imposition of prohibition in Wick in an attempt to curb drunkenness. The town remained ‘dry’ until 1947, and four years later Pulteney distillery re-opened, now in the hands of lawyer Bertie Cumming, who also owned Balblair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1955 Cumming sold Pulteney on to the Canadian distilling giant Hiram Walker \u0026amp; Sons, through its James \u0026amp; George Stodart subsidiary. The distillery was substantially rebuilt during 1958\/59, at which point floor maltings were abandoned. The plant was then acquired in 1961 by Allied Breweries – later Allied Domecq – who operated it until its sale to Inver House Distillers in 1995.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the Allied regime, Old Pulteney, as the ‘make’ of the distillery had long been known, was destined almost exclusively for the blending vats – with Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail bottling small quantities as an 8-year-old single malt – but Inver House set out to build a successful single malt brand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as developing a range of aged expressions, In 2010 Pulteney introduced into the travel retail arena an expression with no-age-statement called WK499 Isabella Fortuna. This took its name from one of the last surviving herring drifters, built in 1890 and now preserved by the Wick Society. This was followed in 2012 by WK209, matured in European Sherry casks and named after another herring drifter, WK209 Good Hope, built in Wick during 1948, and by WK217 Spectrum which commemorated the steel-hulled steam drifter Spectrum, launched in 1920.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese bottlings further reinforced Pulteney’s role as the ‘Genuine Maritime Malt,’ as did their travel retail successors, a trio of expressions named after local lighthouses – Noss Head, Duncansby Head and Pentland Skerries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately 60% of the output of Pulteney distillery is retained by Inver House – now owned by Thai Beverage – for single malt bottling, and of that 60% some 95% is filled into ex-Bourbon casks for maturation in Pulteney’s five on-site warehouses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Please Note mild staining to interior floor of the box inside. Whisky is unaffected\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/nav\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Old Pulteney","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791502995794,"sku":"OLDP8GM80SMINI","price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Photoroom_20250331_122206.jpg?v=1771961826"},{"product_id":"glen-garioch-8-year-old-morrisons-glengarioch-distillery-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Glen Garioch 8 Year Old Morrisons Glengarioch Distillery Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlen Garioch 8 Year Old Morrisons Glengarioch Distillery Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA miniature from the 1980s from before Glen Garioch was purchased by Beam Suntory. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"productView-descriptionWrap\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Glen Garioch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"productView-descriptionWrap\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eThis is an old distillery which for many years was self-sufficient in malt. In fact, the maltings, sadly now disused, dwarf the production facility. That malted barley would have been dried with peat from Pitsligo, giving Glen Garioch its distinctive reek.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the layout inside Glen Garioch is typical of a centuries-old site, with small rooms being added on and converted into use as production increased, it contains relatively modern kit. The mash tun, squeezed inside a tiny chamber, has a lauter system; the washbacks, in another tight room nearby, are stainless steel. The stillhouse with a panoramic window facing the road has three stills, but only one pair is used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFerments are short, giving a deep cereal and spice note to the new spirit which also has a distinctive waxy, tallow-like, character. When mature, the heaviness changes into a thick, fat texture, allowing honeyed fruits and heather to emerge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has been unpeated since the 1990s, but in recent years, small batches of smoky barley have once again been run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the date of Glen Garioch is officially given as being 1797, there are claims (still to be substantiated) of it producing legally at an even earlier date, a claim which if proved true would make this Oldmeldrum plant the oldest distillery in Scotland. It would make sense that there was whisky being distilled in The Garioch – a fertile part of Aberdeenshire long given over to arable farming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever the date of its formation, Glen Garioch survived when other eastern distilleries foundered. This was initially thanks to its ownership by blenders J.F. Thompson of Leith in 1884. William Sanderson of Vat 69 (at that point one of the top-selling blends in the world) became a partner in 1886 and took full control in 1908.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanderson owned it outright until 1935 when it joined with Booth’s [Royal Brackla, Millburn, Stromness] and then two years later, following a merger, into DCL. It continued in production until 1968 when it and Brora were considered as the sites which could produce heavily-peated whisky for DCL’s blending requirements. Glen Garioch had always struggled for water and it was felt that this would impact on an increase in production. DCL’s response to this was to close Glen Garioch, and re-open Brora.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo years later, the Glasgow broker Stanley P Morrison [Bowmore, Auchentoshan] bought it. The firm brought in a local water diviner who found a new source and production not only restarted, but increased.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMorrison’s brought in the same design of heat recovery system it had installed at Bowmore. In that distillery waster heat warmed the water of the town’s swimming pool. At Glen Garioch, it heated two acres of greenhouses where tomatoes were grown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavily peated malt was produced until 1995 when the distillery closed once more. Thankfully it opened again two years later, though by now the peat had gone (as had the distillery’s own maltings) as a different style was being made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday it is a member of the Beam Suntory stable, with all of its production going to single malt. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e43% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glen Garioch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791505682770,"sku":"GLGAR8MGD80SMINI","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/GlenGarioch8YearOldMorrisonsGlengariochDistilleryHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1771961993"},{"product_id":"cragganmore-12-year-old-d-j-macallum-ltd-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1990s-5cl-miniature","title":"Cragganmore 12 Year Old D \u0026 J Macallum LTD Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCragganmore 12 Year Old D \u0026amp; J Macallum LTD Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA miniature from the late 80s, early 90s from Diageo owned Cragganmore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Cragganmore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCragganmore uses lightly peated malt, long fermentation, unusually shaped stills (see below) and worm tubs to produce a rich, meaty new make which adds a mix of citrus, spice and fruit as it matures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/45974c566ed80c5064c03efd109e6f5c.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of Cragganmore is that of one of Scotch whisky’s greatest pioneers, John Smith. Some believe he was the illegitimate son of George Smith of Minmore and whether true or not it cannot be doubted that he was an experienced distiller who had spent time managing The Glenlivet, Dailuaine, Macallan, Wishaw and, briefly, as leaseholder at neighbouring Glenfarclas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe chose the riverside site at Ballindalloch in 1869 for a number of reasons: spring water for process, Spey water for cooling and perhaps most significantly because the Strathspey Railway was going to run virtually outside the distillery's front door. This would allow Smith to get casks and coal up from the Lowlands and ship his new make rapidly to the blending houses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf location showed his skill as a businessman you only have to enter the stillhouse to see evidence of his talent as a distiller. The two wash stills are large but with very acutely-angled lyne arms which descend into worm tubs. The spirit stills are small with flat tops and a long, gently angled lyne arm sticking out of the side of the still. They too end up in worms. It is the latter pair – the only such type in Scotland – which help to generate the make’s complexity. Cragganmore was one of the few single malts to be classed as A1 by blenders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmith died in 1886 and his family ran the plant until 1923 when it was owned by a partnership of the Macpherson-Grants of Ballindalloch Estate and White Horse Distillers. While the White Horse half of the shareholding passed to DCL it wasn’t until 1965 that the Macpherson-Grants sold their shareholding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday it is owned by Diageo and was one of the original ‘Classic Malts’ although its importance as a contributor to blends means that a significant percentage is still used for fillings. Strangely for such a complex malt it has never achieved the same status as some of its Speyside neighbours. Some put this down to the lack of volume available for single malt bottlings (even now it only has two regular expressions, a 12-year-old and a Distiller’s Edition finish), others feel that the label design is hard to read. Whatever the truth, it remains a somewhat hidden dram.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cragganmore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791520133458,"sku":"CRAG12DJM90SMINI","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Cragganmore12YearOldD_JMacallumLTDHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1990s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1771962217"},{"product_id":"aberlour-10-year-old-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1990s-5cl-miniature","title":"Aberlour 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAberlour 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn Aberlour miniature from the late 80s \/ early 1990s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Aberlour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA medium-weight single malt, Aberlour’s character balances malt, fruit and a distinctive blackcurrant note. It is a whisky which gains in weight and toffee-like sweetness as it matures and has sufficient depth to be able to cope with Sherry cask maturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe range is large, with many different variations on ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon cask matured whiskies – some mixed, some 100%, others finished. Its greatest cult following is for the small batch, 100% Sherry-matured, cask-strength variant A’Bunadh which has run since 2000. Aberlour was also one of the first distilleries to offer a ‘bottle your own’ whisky to visitors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/3024ebdb2d0bc4f090e63c2ebc2439d8.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/a20d315dc2dd681f51e1ff53e7b4b897.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/ec1186bfa410a2422d6b89be2adcea41.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/5548d5c6620b1d7007adb86bf06e6754.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/f875ccde89d529ca069cf11edaa4db74.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/0ea5e489cb0e45b1ea8de6e235ebcd56.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/1c6159b6be7dbca6490f7fbd4645d479.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first distillery in the village of Aberlour was established in 1825 and ran until 1833, when the co-lessees James and John Grant left to build their own distillery, Glen Grant, in Rothes. The current distillery was the brainchild of James Fleming who built it in 1879 using water from St. Drostan’s Well, named after an early Columban monk, which is situated on the site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eLike many Victorian distilleries, it burnt down and, in 1898, had to be rebuilt. During World War II when the distillery was on short-term working, locals used to smuggle wash up the Aberlour burn and distil illicitly under the Linn Falls.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe distillery became part of Campbell Distillers in 1945, passing into the Pernod Ricard stable in 1974, the year after it had been expanded from two to four stills and wholly modernised internally. Its ownership has long given it a strong following in France. It is now part of Pernod’s whisky division, Chivas Brothers.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aberlour","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791521149266,"sku":"ABL1090SMINI","price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Photoroom_20250331_121657.jpg?v=1771962237"},{"product_id":"balvenie-10-year-old-founders-reserve-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Balvenie 10 Year Old Founder's Reserve Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBalvenie 10 Year Old Founder's Reserve Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn auld miniature of a Balvenie Founder's Reserve before barcodes and iPhones etc. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Balvenie Founders Reserve is a classic whisky created by Balvenie's Malt Master, David Stewart. It is a 10-year-old single malt that has been matured in both Bourbon and sherry casks, resulting in a rich and balanced flavour profile. This whisky was a key member of the Balvenie range from the early 1980s until it was retired a few years ago. It is known for its fruity notes complemented by darker, earthier, sweet, and spicy undertones. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Balvenie \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eBalvenie distillery shares the same (massive) site with Glenfiddich and Kininvie but makes its whisky in a very different manner to its two sisters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts floor maltings have been retained and although this only makes up a small percentage (up to 15%) of the total mash, it is believed that it helps contribute character to the new make – the small amount of peat which is burned might help. Given that Balvenie has only opened to visitors in recent times, it certainly wasn’t kept for cosmetic or touristic reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a large distillery with nine, fat, short-necked stills producing a new make character which is notably sweet and honeyed – completely different to both Glenfiddich and Kininvie. Interestingly, when William Grant built its Ailsa Bay malt distillery in Girvan, the still shape replicated that of Balvenie, but the new make is different again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was one of the first distilleries to introduce a ‘finished’ single malt with the launch in 1993 of Double Wood, which was first aged in ex-Bourbon casks before being given a short period of secondary maturation (aka finishing) in ex-Sherry. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis utilisation of different wood types runs through the Balvenie range with a new 17-year-old Double Wood recently joining Caribbean Cask (ex-rum) 14 year old, and the 21-year-old Port Wood as part of the core range. As well as single barrel releases and older age variants up to 50 years in the range, a cult small batch, Tun 1401, has also recently appeared, followed by Tun 1509.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalvenie was built on a 12 acre site adjacent to Glenfiddich in 1892\/3. Originally known as Glen Gordon it took the name of the huge (ruined) castle which was located next door. The ‘new’ castle, already derelict in 1893, was turned into maltings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery provided fillings, primarily for the Grant’s Standfast blend, until 1973 when the first official bottling was made. Its continued requirements as a contributor to blends initially restricted its growth as a stand-alone brand (although increasing its cult status). This was eased slightly with the opening of Kininvie in 1990, but it was only with the building of Ailsa Bay that greater stocks were finally made available. It is now one of the fastest-growing single malt brands in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Balvenie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791535108434,"sku":"BAL10FR80SMINI","price":26.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Balvenie10YearOldFounder_sReserveSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1771962390"},{"product_id":"glenlivet-12-year-old-pure-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1990s-5cl-miniature","title":"Glenlivet 12 Year Old Pure Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlenlivet 12 Year Old Pure Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1970s miniature of the most popular whisky in the USA, Glenlivet. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Glenlivet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eSituated high above the river Livet with a view out towards Cardhu and the slopes of Ben Rinnes, The Glenlivet has been operational on this site since 1859.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a recent expansion and refurb it is one of the most modern distilleries in Speyside with a vast Brigg’s mash tun which sends clear wort to wooden washbacks. Distillation, which is slow, takes place in two stillhouses, in seven sets of stills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Smith’s greatest achievement wasn’t simply the taking out of a licence, but his decision to make a new style of whisky. By the 1860s, The Glenlivet was noted for producing a spirit with a ‘pineapple’ note, evidence that the floral, estery character seen today has a long history – and one which broke with the heavy, dense, rich styles prevalent at that time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough The Glenlivet is widely believed to be the oldest operational distillery in Scotland, it isn’t. That honour goes to Strathisla, while Glen Garioch could be even older. The Glenlivet was however one of the first to take out one of the new licences issued after the passing of the 1823 Excise Act which is accepted as being the starting point of the modern Scotch whisky industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Smith was the man who did it. A farmer (which in those days in this region pretty much meant an illicit distiller), he had the ‘tack’ [rent] of the Upper Drumin farm in the southern part of Glen Livet. As it was his landlord, the Duke of Gordon, who had helped to push the Act through, there was little chance that Smith wouldn’t get a knock on the door from the Duke’s factors ‘persuading’ him to mend his ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot that this was without danger. Whisky smuggling had been underway for almost 40 years by that time and the gangs were both well-established and relatively wealthy. Plenty of the new distilleries were razed to the ground. George Smith famously travelled with a pair of pistols in case he was attacked by his former colleagues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis venture was a success and his Glenlivet whisky – conceivably made in a lighter style even at this stage – became popular. As the money came in, he took the tacks of Minmore and Nevie and with demand rising, built a second distillery at nearby Delnabo in 1850. His Edinburgh agent, Andrew Usher, then released ‘OVG’ [Old Vatted Glenlivet] initially as a vatted malt and then the first recognised blend. Smith’s Glenlivet was at the core of both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the Drumin distillery burned down in 1858, and Delnabo (always suffering from water issues) closed the year after, Smith had started work on a new, larger plant at Minmore which opened in 1859 and still operates today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Glenlivet’ had been used as a shorthand for what we now know as Speyside whiskies since the smuggling era. By the 1860s, the title was being appended to distilleries’ names as far north as Elgin, much to the irritation of the Smith family who had by then trademarked Glenlivet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1881, George’s grandson, George Smith Grant, by then running the family firm, sued the companies who had added Glenlivet to their name. It took a further three years for a compromise resolution to be signed. This allowed the Smith’s distillery to call itself The Glenlivet, while the others could hyphenate their name with ‘-Glenlivet’. Over the years, 26 distilleries have styled themselves in this way although the practice now appears to have died out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Glenlivet was always available as single malt, but it wasn’t until after the Second World War that it began its rise. By then the firm was being run by Bill Smith Grant who saw the American market as offering new opportunities for the whisky, making it arguably the first single malt brand of the modern era. That said, even in the 1970s, 95% of its production was for fillings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1952 it merged with Glen Grant, then that firm joined forces with blender Hill, Thompson \u0026amp; Co (owner of Queen Anne and Something Special) and the Longmorn\/Benriach distilleries. In 1978, three years after Bill Smith Grant’s death, Seagram (owner of Chivas) paid £46 million for a controlling stake. Soon after, The Glenlivet became the largest selling single malt in America, a position it still holds today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mighty Seagram empire was divided up in 2001, with Pernod Ricard and Diageo dividing the spoils between them, with the former taking the Scotch division, renaming it Chivas Brothers. It was its new owner who, a decade later, unveiled a £10m investment which increased the distillery’s capacity by 75%. The aim is now to make The Glenlivet the world’s top selling single malt. Sales now top a million cases a year. When Bill Smith Grant started in the 1950s, it was less than 700 cases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery runs its own community, The Glenlivet Guardians. Membership includes access to a club room in the distillery and chances to assist in special bottlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glenlivet","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791568695634,"sku":"GLLIV1290SMINI","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Photoroom_20250331_121821.jpg?v=1771962444"},{"product_id":"macallan-10-year-old-old-style-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Macallan 10 Year Old Old Style Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMacallan 10 Year Old Old Style Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section\" data-set=\"append--section--s147375485668072\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"container container--pad section--s147375485668072\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row section section--s147375485668072\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col l-col-13 l-offset-2 s-col-32 col--s147375485668072_2\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-slice slice-large slice-small slice-tabs\" data-set=\"append--product-slice--s147375494098924\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-slice--s147375494098924\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"js-product-tabs__s147375494098924\" data-slice-id=\"s147375494098924\" class=\"product-tabs-slice__s147375494098924 product-tabs product-tabs-horizontal product-tabs-header-full-width product-tabs-layout-outline\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"tab-s147375494098924-1\" class=\"product-tabs__content active\" data-slice-id=\"s147375494098924\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"grid-32 product-tabs__content_expander\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col l-col-32\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-tabs__content__slice\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"product__description\" class=\"product-tabs__content__cms\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMacallan 10 Year Old Bottled 1990s 5cl Miniature is a mini bottling of the older 1990s style labelled bottle of the 10 year aged Macallan dram. This fine whisky has a beautiful label that reflects the quality of the product inside and with the miniature size, you can give it a try for yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee what 40 years ago tasted like! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Macallan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMacallan is an excellent example of the significance of size on whisky character. It is a large producer certainly, but its spirit stills are small (3,900 litres). This is a major contributing factor to the rich and oily nature of its new make.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven with an extremely tight (ie small) cut there is little time for copper to do its lightening job on spirit vapour in tiny stills the lyne arms of which are so acutely angled. The opposite applies to maturation, however, where the balance between large and small is more fully revealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat heavy new make then goes into large, predominantly 500-litre ex-Sherry casks (made of both European and American oak). A large surface-to-volume ratio means that maturation will take longer – Macallan, it is widely agreed, hits its stride fully in its mid-teens. A heavy new make will also require longer in cask to lose any vestigial sulphurous notes. The nature of the extractives in the European oak (higher levels of tannin, powerful clove and resinous aromas) also needs a heavy spirit to achieve balance. American oak, on the other hand, adds and enhances sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo colour adjustment takes place at Macallan, meaning that each vatting needs to not only replicate the previous one in terms of aroma and taste, but must hit the same hue, despite every cask having a different tint. It is this understanding of the way in which colour is an indication of character which was behind whisky-maker Bob Dalgarno’s creation of the ‘1824 Range’ in 2013.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the original farm distilleries of Speyside, Macallan became legal in 1824 when Alexander Reid obtained (or was persuaded to obtain) one of the new licences issued after the passing of the 1823 Excise Act. In 1868, James Stuart took the lease and rebuilt the plant. His ownership ended in 1892, when he sold Macallan to one of the giants of Victorian distilling, Roderick Kemp, who had previously owned Talisker. Kemp’s descendants – in particular the Shiach family – retained ownership until the 1996 takeover by Highland Distillers (now Edrington).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant has continually been expanded from its original wooden shed with two stills. It was increased to five stills (two wash, three spirit) in 1954 and then more significantly in 1965 when a new stillhouse with seven stills was built. This process continued throughout the 1970s with the total number of stills reaching 21 by 1975.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a distillery which has become synonymous with the growth of single malt, it is worth remembering that Macallan has always been an important malt for blending. It wasn’t until the early 1980s, faced with a downturn in the market for fillings, that Macallan decided to focus more strongly on the then new single malt category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe management team of Allan Shiach, Frank Newlands, Hugh Mitcalfe and Willie Phillips oversaw a campaign which both positioned the malt as a 'first-growth whisky' it called 'the Cognac of whisky', while always retaining a somewhat bohemian and irreverent approach to advertising and promotion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA firm belief in the fusion of the oily, heavy, new make style and ex-Sherry casks saw Macallan, under Edrington’s governance, become the first distillery to create so-called ‘bespoke’ casks: selecting specific trees (predominantly in northern Spain, though some American oak is specified), and then with Jerez-based cooper Tevasa specifying the length and nature of drying, type of coopering, the liquid used for seasoning (oloroso) and the duration of that process. Investment in wood has increased significantly in recent years, with a complex of massive warehouses being built on the estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years, a greater emphasis has been placed on the nascent luxury whisky market with bottlings of 50- and 60-year-old Macallan in Lalique decanters, the creation of the Fine \u0026amp; Rare vintage range dating back to 1926, and the Masters of Photography series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis has not been without controversy. Its growing status as a collectable malt saw Macallan become the victim of fakers in the late 1990s. The subsequent investigation has, however, helped establish a methodology to check the authenticity of suspicious bottlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a whisky-making front, 2004 saw the introduction of Fine Oak, where American oak ex-Sherry casks and some ex-Bourbon casks were used in a mirror range to the ‘classic’ 100% ex-Sherry range. Though old Macallan lovers protested, the lighter, sweeter, flavour profile brought in new drinkers, mostly in new markets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1824 Range, a four-strong series not carrying age statements which replaced some of the younger expressions in the portfolio, followed in 2013, using whisky colour as a communication and branding device.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second stillhouse was brought back on stream in 2008, and in 2013 it was announced that a completely new, £100m distillery was to be built.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new distillery – a distinctive subterranean design – was commissioned on 9 November 2017 and opened officially in May 2018, at a final cost of £140m.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Macallan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791571087698,"sku":"MAC1080SMINI","price":38.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Macallan10YearOldOldStyleSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1771962490"},{"product_id":"springbank-malts-2025-tasting-pack-x-6-springbank-10-local-barley-springbank-5-100-proof-springbank-10-fino-sherry-hazelburn-10-kilkerran-16-kilkerran-heavily-peated-batch-13-12cl","title":"Springbank Malts 2025 Tasting Pack X 6 (Springbank 10 Local Barley, Springbank 5 100 Proof, Springbank 10 Fino Sherry, Hazelburn 10, Kilkerran 16 \u0026 Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 13) 12cl","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSpringbank Malts 2025 Tasting Pack X 6 (Springbank 10 Local Barley, Springbank 5 100 Proof, Springbank 10 Fino Sherry, Hazelburn 10, Kilkerran 16 \u0026amp; Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 13) 12cl\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of the new releases in a tasting pack. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of the Fino Sherry and Local Barley is now sold out so for some, this is the best way to be able to taste them all in this limited edition tasting pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease see second image\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Springbank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringbank is the only distillery in Scotland to malt, distil, mature and bottle on the same site. It manages to do this while operating a highly complex distillation regime, which creates three different styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe equipment at Springbank is resolutely old-style: an old Boby mill, an open-top cast-iron mash tun, wooden washbacks made from boatskin larch; and three stills, direct fire on one of them, a worm tub on another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe malt is handled in three ways to produce three contrasting whiskies – Springbank itself is medium-peated, Longrow is heavily peated, while Hazelburn has no peat at all. Ferments are very long – in excess of 100 hours; with low-gravities which both produces a low-strength wash and high levels of esters. This fruity base is then distilled in three different ways, depending on the style being produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringbank is partially triple-distilled. The wash still (which is direct fired) works as normal producing low wines, the strongest portion of which are directed to the spirit still charger. The remainder is redistilled in the intermediate still (which has a worm tub) and put into the feints receiver along with the heads and tails from the spirit still distillation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mix makes up 80% of the final charge, with the strong portion of low wines from the wash still making up the remaining 20%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnsurprisingly, the result is a highly complex new make that is collected at an average strength of 71-72% – lightly smoky, oily, fruity, delicately fragrant yet powerful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLongrow is heavier and smokier – the malted barley obviously playing a significant part, but so does distillation in the direct-fired wash still and second distillation in the spirit still which has the worm tub. It is collected at 68%, lower than Springbank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHazelburn undergoes standard triple distillation and is collected at between 74-76% abv.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaturation for all three is in a mix of casks – as well as the standard ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry and refill, other types [wine and rum] and sizes [60 litre ‘rundlets’ and 50 litre ‘kilderkan' are used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinuity is the watchword at Springbank. This distillery has been in the ownership of the Mitchell family and its ancestors since 1837. Indeed, as its founder William Reid was related to the Mitchells by marriage you could argue that they were there from the word go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was in 1828 that Reid took out a licence, but there was a rich – and extensive – heritage of illicit distillation in the Kintyre Peninsula. Indeed, thanks to the Still Books of Campbeltown plumber and coppersmith, Robert Armour, we can accurately chart how many there were. The books show that Armour made 400 sma’ stills from 1811-1817, bringing him an income of £350 per year, and the surnames Reid and Mitchell appear in his detailed accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike many smugglers, Reid didn’t survive long once he joined the legitimate trade and in 1837 he sold to his in-laws John and William Mitchell. The latter brother left in 1872 to join his other two brothers at Riechlachan, at which point John’s son Alexander joined Springbank [hence the J\u0026amp;A Mitchell still on the label].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 19th and early 20th centuries were a boom time for Campbeltown. Thanks to a fast sea crossing to Glasgow and a small coal seam at nearby Machrihanish it became Scotland’s whisky capital. At some point or other there were 35 distilleries operational. The style tended to be medium- to heavy-bodied, with some smokiness and an oily texture (though each distillery would work its own variation on this theme).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distilling trade, however, collapsed in the 1920s. All of Scotland was affected with 50 distilleries closing, but Campbeltown was disproportionately affected, with only Springbank, Glen Scotia and Hazelburn surviving the Great Purge. By the 1960s only it and Glen Scotia were left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is not to say it was not immune to the vagaries of the whisky trade. Despite beginning to build a reputation as a single malt, Springbank was mothballed between 1979 to 1987. On reopening, owner Hedley Wright [John Mitchell’s great-great grandson] made the momentous decision to no longer sell to blenders, but develop single malt sales. Maltings were re-opened in 1992 and while the combination of managing limited stocks – the result of the mothballed period and somewhat over-eager sales of what was left – it has taken a number of years to get the Springbank range fully balanced, which now it is. It remains, deservedly, one of Scotland’s cult malt whiskies and a template for many new distillers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6 x 2cl\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Springbank","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52792516510034,"sku":"SPRM25TP","price":89.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/SpringbankMalts2025TastingPackX6_Springbank10LocalBarley_Springbank5100Proof_Springbank10FinoSherry_Hazelburn10_Kilkerran16_KilkerranHeavilyPeatedBatch13_12cl.jpg?v=1771973396"},{"product_id":"north-british-16-year-old-1964-single-bourbon-cask-37526-100-proof-single-grain-scotch-whisky-1981-5cl-miniature","title":"North British 16 Year Old 1964 Single Bourbon Cask #37526 100 Proof Single Grain Scotch Whisky (1981) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eNorth British 16 Year Old 1964 Single Bourbon Cask #37526 100 Proof Single Grain Scotch Whisky (1981) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA miniature of single grain scotch whisky at cask strength distilled in 1964 from a single cask that was bottled into full size bottles of an undisclosed \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe full bottle image is the second in the listing and only the Miniature is available. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout North of Scotland\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA now silent Lowland grain distillery that was also once also home to the Strathmore malt plant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn its day, North of Scotland was thought to be one of the more flavoursome grain whiskies around. Owner George P. Christie was intent on ensuring North of Scotland’s grain whisky retained its own individual character with age, so made sure to include a higher than usual amount of congeners in the spirit cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first official bottling of North of Scotland was released (as a 50-year-old) in 2017 in partnership with Elixir Distillers, although its whisky has appeared under several independent labels with high age statements over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1957 George P. Christie’s North of Scotland Distilling Co. purchased Robert Knox’s Forth Brewery in Cambus from Blairs for £10,000. Christie quickly went about converting the building into a malt and grain distillery. By the following year North of Scotland was producing grain whisky from its three patent stills, which had the capacity to distil 2,700 litres of wash per hour, and malt whisky from its two copper pot stills. The malt set-up was called Strathmore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen converting the brewery into a distillery planners set Christie a maximum roof height for the development, which proved something of an issue when the patent stills arrived for installation and were far too tall. Rather than delay the start of production with a request for an amendment to the plans, Christie simply sunk the stills into pits dug deep into the distillery floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrathmore and North of Scotland operated side-by-side, producing malt and grain whisky as fillings for blends. However the demand for grain whisky at that time far outstripped that of malt, and after just one year Christie stripped out the pot stills to install a larger mash tun to increase North of Scotland’s grain output.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery is rumoured to have been haunted by the ghost of a former brewer, the spirit of which was spotted by both employees and excise officers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the deaths of the distillery’s directors in the 1970s, and troubled by the overproduction of whisky at the time, Christie closed North of Scotland in 1980 and sold the distillery and buildings as a silent entity to DCL in 1982.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat wasn’t the end of the road for Christie. He went on to return to malt distilling in 1990 with Speyside distillery. However, the sale did spell the end for the North of Scotland operation. The stills and equipment were stripped and transferred to other distilleries, including nearby Cambus which also belonged to DCL.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe building itself is now used as bonded warehousing by Diageo Global Supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e57.1% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e70cl\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North of Scotland","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52863448613202,"sku":"NOS16YOSC37526MINI","price":49.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/NorthBritish16YearOld1964SingleBourbonCask_37526100ProofSingleGrainScotchWhisky_1981_5clMiniature_fd774240-a32a-4f16-8da1-5fac0a06b554.jpg?v=1772665355"},{"product_id":"tullibardine-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1990s-5cl-miniature","title":"Tullibardine Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003cp\u003eTullibardine Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1990s miniature of Tullibardine single malt whisky. Whilst the age is undisclosed it is estimated to be around 10 years of age. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Tullibardine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring its Invergordon era, Tullibardine was set up to produce a light, nutty malt which was mostly used when young and aged in refill casks for buyer-own blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe requirements of a single malt house – which Tullibardine became – necessitated some tweaking of the spirit run (introducing more high-toned floral notes now coming to the fore, with the nuttiness being dialled down) and a more 21st century wood policy with a massive influx of fresh casks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlcohol has been produced in Blackford for over six centuries. A brewery was operational in 1488 when James IV [the King who famously asked Friar John Cor to make aqua vitae from eight bolls of malt in 1495] stopped to buy a barrel of ale after his coronation at Scone. It could lay claim to be the oldest ‘public’ brewery in the kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDistilling was also tried. In 1798, William \u0026amp; Henry Bannerman opened the first Tullibardine distillery, though it only ran for a year. In 1814, Andrew Bannerman (presumably a relative) tried again. This time it operated until 1837. By the 19th century, the town had a maltings and three breweries: the original one, Gleneagles Brewery, now owned by the Sharp family, the other two by the Eadie family. Both of Eadie’s plants closed by the turn of the 20th century, leaving Gleneagles to soldier on until 1927. At this point it seemed as if this rich tradition had finally ceased, but in 1949 the famous distillery designer William Delme-Evans bought the Gleneagles Brewery site and built a new distillery there. It was the first to be built in Scotland since 1900.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1953 it was bought by blender Brodie Hepburn which increased capacity (see Glenturret) and from there via Invergordon (which bought Brodie Hepburn) into Whyte \u0026amp; Mackay (which in turn bought Invergordon) which promptly mothballed it, though retaining its extensive warehousing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTullibardine lay silent from 1994 until 2003, when a business consortium snapped it up. Their idea was to sell off some of the site as a retail park, using the money raised to get distilling up and running again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a similar fashion to Bruchladdich, the new owners found that most of the stock had been filled into old, tired casks which though suitable for some aspects of blending were not ideal for a stand-alone single malt brand. An extensive – and expensive – re-casking operation started along with the inevitable rash of ‘finished’ whiskies. The group sold their interest in 2011 to the French wine and spirit group, Picard which owns the Highland Queen and Muirhead’s brands and was looking for capacity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe (failed) retail park venture has been bought back and a newly repackaged and reformulated range of single malts has been introduced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tullibardine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52863474073938,"sku":null,"price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/TullibardineHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1990s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772666479"},{"product_id":"glenmorangie-10-year-old-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Glenmorangie 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlenmorangie 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA miniature of Glenmorangie Single Malt whisky from the 1980s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose\u003cbr\u003eVery fruity and thick. Rich notes of lemon, nectarine and apple. Spices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate\u003cbr\u003eFresh and balanced, vanilla. Boiled sweets, very creamy, tiramisu, toffee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish\u003cbr\u003eQuite long, gentle, malty and very fruity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Glenmorangie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe attention paid to its pioneering work in wood management has resulted in Glenmorangie’s distillation regime being slightly overlooked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe process at Glenmorangie starts with mashing unpeated barley with water from the distillery’s Tarlogie Springs – making this one of a small number of hard water sites in Scotland. Although there is no smoke, once a year some chocolate malt is added to the mash for use in the firm’s Signet brand – another of the distillery’s many innovations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFermentation is long, while distillation takes place in the tallest stills in Scotland, all of which retain the same long-necked design of the pair which were brought from John Taylor’s gin distillery in 1887. This extra height allows a long interaction to take place between alcohol vapour and copper and, while the new make is decidedly high-toned (the cut points here are quite high), there is still a little note of cereal, adding a dry counterpoint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of Glenmorangie’s make is aged in ex-American oak casks, many of which have been made to the distillery’s exacting specifications: slow-growth American white oak from north-facing slopes in Missouri, which is then air-dried. The firm’s Astar bottling uses 100% of these ‘bespoke’ casks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe casks are only used twice, with the second-fill casks all ageing in damp ‘dunnage’ warehouses to increase oxidative-driven flavours. As the whisky matures, it picks up more lush fruits, some honey and mint, as well as notes of vanilla, crème brûlee and, in the oldest expressions, chocolate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the mature spirit is then transferred to ex-fortified wine (Port, Sherry) and still wine (Sauternes, Burgundy, Super-Tuscan etc) casks for a period of finishing. Glenmorangie was one of the pioneers of this technique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSituated next to the Dornoch Firth in a series of handsome red sandstone buildings, the Glenmorangie distillery started life as the local brewery for the town of Tain. In 1843, William Matheson converted it to a distillery and it remained in the family until 1887, when it was sold to the Glenmorangie Distillery Co, co-owned by the Maitland brothers and Duncan Cameron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the First World War, the business was sold to a partnership between two blending and broking firms, Macdonald \u0026amp; Muir and Durham \u0026amp; Co, soon passing entirely to the former, which used the whisky for blends such as Highland Queen. Although it was bottled in small quantities from the 1920s, a change of strategy in 1959 saw Glenmorangie revived as a single malt that soon became Scotland’s biggest seller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was not the first time that this had happened, however. Records show that at the end of the 19th century Glenmorangie was being sold at The Savoy and other top-end London hotels, as well as being exported.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly success in the infant single malt category resulted in two more stills being added to the original pair in 1976, a number which was doubled again in 1990. In 2009, four more were added, along with a larger mash tun and extra washbacks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFive years previously, French luxury goods firm Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) had bought the firm (also including Ardbeg) for £300m. More recently, extra warehousing has been built, the result of a decision to mature and vat all the production on-site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn January 2018, it was announced that a new stillhouse would be built, housing two more of Glenmorangie’s distinctive, long-necked stills, plus a new mash tun and washbacks. The new facility will enable more experimental runs, with indications that innovations such as the use of stainless steel condensers will be explored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glenmorangie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52863476531538,"sku":"GLMO10MINI1980","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Glenmorangie10YearOldHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772666850"},{"product_id":"glendullan-12-year-old-macdonald-greenless-ltd-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Glendullan 12 Year Old Macdonald Greenless Ltd Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlendullan 12 Year Old Macdonald Greenless Ltd Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA miniature of 12 Year Old Glendullan single malt. This bottling comes from an era when blends were the main \"in thing\" and single malts were less desirable. Today it is the opposite. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Glendullan\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGlendullan's long fermentation produces a green, grassy spirit that's bottled as a single malt under the Singleton brand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery started life in 1897 when it was built by the Aberdeen blender and broker William Williams who had also signed an exclusivity deal with nearby Glenfiddich. Williams merged with Greenlees Brothers and was absorbed within DCL in 1925. A second distillery was built next door in 1972 and run in tandem with the original site. In 1985, the original plant was closed and ‘Glendullan 2’ now provides liquid for blends and the Singleton of Glendullan brand which was launched in 2007 as an exclusive for the North American market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bioplant, which processes the spent lees, was opened on-site in 2014.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e47% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glendullan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52863483707730,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Glendullan12YearOldMacdonaldGreenlessLtdSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772667421"},{"product_id":"royal-culross-8-year-old-blended-malt-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Royal Culross 8 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eRoyal Culross 8 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare miniature of 1970s scotch whisky from Royal Culross. \u003cspan\u003eProduced by A Gillies \u0026amp; Co. who were, at the time, owners of Glen Scotia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt this rate we can start to speculate with some intelligent guesses as to what is in this whisky. Now a historic relic from over 50 years ago. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-18\"\u003eThe Royal Culross 8 Year Old Scotch Malt Whisky has been named after one of the prettiest villages in Scotland. It is estimated that this bottle dates from the 1970's.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-19\"\u003eRelatively fruity and rich with sherry as a creamy hint soon appears with a hint of spice. \u003cspan\u003eAll in all this is a smooth whisky with warming spices and a richness appearing throughout.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e43 degrees \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml (4.68 ctl)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Culross","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52863506612562,"sku":"ROYCUL8BM1970MINI","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/RoyalCulross8YearOldBlendedMaltScotchWhisky_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772668225"},{"product_id":"macphails-5-year-old-special-blended-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"MacPhail's 5 Year Old Special Blended Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMacPhail's 5 Year Old Special Blended Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA miniature bottle of MacPhail's 5 Year Old Special Fine Old Scotch Whisky, bottled by Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArguably the most famous independent bottler of Scotch whisky there is. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail was founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It is now owned by the Urquhart Family who have bow bottled over 350 different expressions from around 69 different distilleries. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail is the Trading name of Speymalt Whiskies while also owning the Benromach distillery, which they purchased in 1993. Some of the brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MacPhail's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52863513198930,"sku":"MACP5SBSW1980MINI","price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/MacPhail_s5YearOldSpecialBlendedScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772668774"},{"product_id":"willett-pot-still-reserve-small-batch-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey-2023-5cl-miniature","title":"Willett Pot Still Reserve Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2023) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWillett Pot Still Reserve Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2023) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWillett Pot Still Reserve was originally introduced as a single barrel beginning in 2008. Around 2015, it was quietly changed over to a small batch bourbon. While Willett Distillery resumed distillation after a lengthy hiatus starting in 2012, Willett Pot Still Reserve continues to be sourced from undisclosed distillery(ies) in Kentucky. Willett has not disclosed if, or when, their own distillate will be incorporated into Willett Pot Still Reserve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section-headers\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"reviewheader\"\u003eNose: Summer fruits highlighted by ripe cherry and a pinch of citrus envelope a mingling of vanilla and dry oak. A faint hint of buttered popcorn lingers in the background, along with a dash of sweet honey. Light overall, but the combination of aromas brings enough complexity to keep it interesting, inviting you back for more.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section-headers\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"reviewheader\"\u003ePalate: Honey and caramel combine to form a sweet note against a light punch of spice and zesty citrus. The bourbon manages to deliver just enough potency to captivate its audience, however it offers a relatively thin mouthfeel.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"section-headers\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"reviewheader\"\u003eFinish: A surge of rye spice crescendos initially, followed by a delicate sprinkling of cinnamon. Buttered popcorn emerges again, along with more traditional vanilla and caramel flavours. The finish lingers, leaving an agreeable spicy note that makes for an enjoyable end to the sip.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"reviewheader\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"reviewheader\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Willett\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWillett Distillery is a family-owned Kentucky distillery near Bardstown, established in 1936 and known for its small-batch bourbon and rye whiskies, including the iconic\u003cspan\u003e Willett Pot Still Reserve\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The distillery was resurrected in 2012 after operating as an independent bottler for a period, and now distills its own whiskey using unique pot stills. Willett is celebrated for producing high-quality, rich, and complex spirits and is considered a significant part of Kentucky's bourbon heritage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e47% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Willett","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52863536136530,"sku":"WILPSRBMINI","price":14.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/WillettPotStillReserveSmallBatchKentuckyStraightBourbonWhiskey_2023_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772669573"},{"product_id":"aberfeldy-16-year-old-1966-gordon-macphail-connoisseurs-choice-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1982-5cl-miniature","title":"Aberfeldy 16 Year Old 1966 Gordon \u0026 Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1982) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAberfeldy 16 Year Old 1966 Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1982) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mini bottle of the older brown labelled Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail releases from the 1980s. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArguably the most famous independent bottler of Scotch whisky there is. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail was founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It is now owned by the Urquhart Family who have bow bottled over 350 different expressions from around 69 different distilleries. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail is the Trading name of Speymalt Whiskies while also owning the Benromach distillery, which they purchased in 1993. Some of the brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"productView-descriptionWrap\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Aberfeldy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"productView-descriptionWrap\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eOne of the sweetest single malts, Aberfeldy’s characteristic honeyed note is the result of very long fermentation, coupled with slow distillation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003eA thick, almost waxy texture (though not as overt as in DCL days) adds some weight toWhisky Situation the mid-palate, allowing long-term maturation. The bulk of the new make is aged in ex-Bourbon casks, but the occasional Sherried release shows that this is a malt which has guts.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Dewar \u0026amp; Sons was typical of many of the blending firms which were founded in the 19th century. Dewar himself, though born in humble surroundings in a croft at Shenvail, became a wine merchant in Perth and by the middle of the century had started to blend whisky. It was however his sons, John Jr and Thomas (always known as\u003cspan\u003e Tommy), \u003c\/span\u003ewho made the family firm a globally recognised name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 1890s, they decided to go into whisky production and built a distillery at Aberfeldy, only two miles from where their father had been born. The site had originally been a brewery and some distillation had taken place in the early part of the century. Fed by the Pitilie Burn [where gold is still panned] Aberfeldy became the malt at the heart of the firm’s blends. A private railway line linked the plant with the firm’s operational hub in Perth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDewar’s joined DCL in 1925 and in 1973 the Aberfeldy site doubled in capacity to its present size. It changed ownership in 1998, when the UK Monopolies Board forced the newly formed Diageo to offload one of its brands and attendant capacity. The\u003cspan\u003e  Dewar's Estate \u003c\/span\u003e[the blends, plus Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Royal Brackla] were bought for £1.1bn by Bacardi-Martini.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new owners invested heavily in a highly impressive educational facility - Dewar’s World of Whisky - which tells the story of the house of Dewar - and blending.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn more recent times, Aberfeldy has been sold in small quantities as single malt and in 2014 was repackaged. A new, permanent, five-strong range is to be created.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Aberfeldy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52868289855826,"sku":"ABF16GMCC1966MINI","price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Aberfeldy16YearOld1966Gordon_amp_MacphailConnoisseursChoiceHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1982_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772713562"},{"product_id":"tobermory-no-age-statement-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Tobermory No Age Statement Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eTobermory No Age Statement Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1980s bottle of Tobermory Single Malt presumably distilled at some point in the 1970s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e quite oily and waxy, with a vague sweetness underneath (peaches, oranges, maybe pineapple). Then some mineral notes, flints and a hint of wet newspaper. Sweet mint. Just a little silver polish too.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e similar sweet minty notes, yellow apples and oranges. Still this mineral \/ coastal side, as well as some peaty notes now. Limited complexity but pretty nice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e A lemon and salt combo and some coastal notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Tobermory \/ Ledaig\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tobermory distillery is located in the main town of the same name on the Isle of Mull. The distillery, the only one on the Isle of Mull, is located in the northern part of the island on Tobermory Bay. From Oban on the mainland it is about a 40-minute ferry ride to Mull. Tobermory comes from the Gaelic and means \"the Mary or Maria spring\". The Tobermory distillery was founded in 1798 under the name Ledaig. In 1972 the Ledaig Distillery Tobermory Ltd. was founded. The name was then changed from Ledaig to Tobermory and after many closures the distillery was reopened in 1993. At the Tobermory distillery there are two wash stills and two spirit stills in the stillhouse. One pair of stills is used for Tobermory production and since 1996 Ledaig malt has been distilled again, the other two stills are for the production of Ledaig single malt. Ledaig malt is made from a more peated malt. Since Tobermory sold the warehouse, which has now been converted into apartments, the new spirit is stored at Deanston on the mainland. Refill, sherry and bourbon casks are used. The water comes from a lake in the mountains. The character of Tobermory malt is slightly peated and firm, the peat flavour does not come from the malt but from the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tobermory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52881338827090,"sku":"TOB1980SM","price":19.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/TobermoryNoAgeStatementSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772830544"},{"product_id":"drumguish-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1993-5cl-miniature","title":"Drumguish Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1993) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDrumguish Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1993) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA miniature from Speyside distillery of a brand named Drumguish that was consigned to the history books shortly after its launch for no other reasons than 1. People could not pronounce it and 2. Not marketed and 3. Single Malts still weren't a massive thing and 4. Not much effort made behind its launch etc. Read below to find out more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Drumguish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYoung single malt whisky once produced at Speyside distillery near Kingussie.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrumguish was the first single malt expression from Speyside distillery near Kingussie, built over the course of 25 years by Glasgow-based whisky blender and broker George Christie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside distillery began distilling in 1990, and while its single malt spirit was also eventually bottled as Glentromie and Spey whisky in later years, its first release was named Drumguish after the surrounding area and a lost distillery that sat across the way in the late 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrumguish was first listed in Wallace Milroy’s\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eMalt Whisky Almanac\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein 1995, which noted the whisky as a ‘floral, fruity, light malt with a sweet, lingering finish’. This relatively positive description was not shared by many other aficionados, and Drumguish never gained any serious traction in the retail trade. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Christie was a flamboyant whisky broker and blender based in Rutherglen, a southside suburb of Glasgow. He had established the North of Scotland grain distillery in Clackmannanshire in 1957, but his vision was to build his own malt distillery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside distillery was built near Kingussie in 1987, and began producing malt whisky in 1990. The first expression released was bottled in 1993 under the Drumguish Distillery Company as a no-age-statement, 40% abv Drumguish single malt, although it was quite obviously a barely legal three years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrumguish was soon withdrawn from the market around 1999 as older Speyside distillery expressions were released. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside distillery, its holding company Speyside Distillery Company, and the Drumguish Distillery Company, were all acquired by a private investment group in 2000, followed by Harvey’s of Edinburgh in 2013.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Drumguish","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52881780769106,"sku":"DRUMG1993MINI","price":21.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/DrumguishHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1993_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772836458"},{"product_id":"glenfarclas-8-year-old-all-unblended-malt-grant-bonding-co-glenfarclas-glenlivet-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1977-5cl-miniature","title":"Glenfarclas 8 Year Old All Unblended Malt Grant Bonding Co Glenfarclas Glenlivet Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1977) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlenfarclas 8 Year Old All Unblended Malt Grant Bonding Co Glenfarclas Glenlivet Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1977) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare very early Glenfarclas release from 1977 for an 8 year old scotch distilled in the early 1970s. The liquid itself in Earth years has been around for 49 years. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4 text-lg source-serif\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"reviewNose\" class=\"leading-6\"\u003eFruity and floral. Apple blossom and honey. Elegant malty notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4 text-lg source-serif\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"reviewPalate\" class=\"leading-6\"\u003eVelvety. Sweet, maybe a bit soft at midpalate but so pleasant. Quince,\\rmedlars, cooked apples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4 text-lg source-serif\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"reviewFinish\" class=\"leading-6\"\u003eMedium length, smooth and sweet. With a nice spicy kick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout J \u0026amp; G Grant, Glenfarclas Distillery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlenfarclas means \"The Valley of the Green Grass\" in Gaelic, and the skilled Scots obtain the water used in the distillation from a small spring that rises from the beautiful and dramatic Ben Rinnes. The distillery is located at the foot of the heather-covered mountain, where the water spurts out from the underlying granite when the winter snow melts. The combination of the very pure, soft water and the unique shape of the pot stills that Glenfarclas uses contributes to the distillery's unique Highland Single Malts .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlenfarclas Distillery has been family-owned since 1865, and it is the Grant family who have established the Scotch whisky distillery as one of the best in the world. Glenfarclas is one of the few remaining Scottish distilleries that are still family-owned. Since 1865, the distillery has been in the hands of the same family: The Grants. John Grant was actually a cattle farmer when he bought Recherlich Farm and Glenfarclas Distillery in 1865 for £511. It is six generations of whisky knowledge that benefits us consumers today. This continuity has made it possible for Glenfarclas to still use older ways of making whisky. Not because of romance and a longing for history. Glenfarclas is a success, and rightly so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs George Grant, the sixth generation of the family, puts it: \"We've lived through 22 recessions. We make the whisky we can afford to make and never borrow money to make it.\" During the 1980s, when the whisky industry itself was cutting back on production, Glenfarclas's was on the rise. Glenfarclas has larger volumes in stock than most distilleries. A reluctance to independent bottlers using the distillery's name on their (rare) offerings has also helped maintain a strong identity for the Glenfarclas brand itself. Glenfarclas also insists on maturing its whiskies in ex- sherry casks . This helps the whisky achieve greater body, complexity and sweetness. It's no small operation, and today they have 80,000 casks for ageing. Since 1989 they have come from Spain, specifically Huelva near Jerez - and they do so almost every month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glenfarclas","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52881806623058,"sku":"GLFAR8GBC1977MINI","price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Glenfarclas8YearOldAllUnblendedMaltGrantBondingCoGlenfarclasGlenlivetSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1977_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772837209"},{"product_id":"mortlach-70-proof-gordon-macphail-pure-malt-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1976-5cl-miniature","title":"Mortlach 70 Proof Gordon \u0026 Macphail Pure Malt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1976) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMortlach 70 Proof Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Pure Malt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1976) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail bottling of a lesser seen whisky from the Diageo group that has somewhat of a cult admiration for it. Maybe the name, maybe the fact that nobody has ever spoken of a \"bad Mortlach\". \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Mortlach\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMortlach’s main claim to fame, production wise, is as the home of the most fiendishly complex distillation regime in Scotland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wash (from clear wort and long fermentation) is split between three wash stills; No. 3 wash still and No.3 spirit still work in tandem and as per normal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe low wines from wash stills No. 1 and 2 is, however, split into two parts. The first 80% of the run is collected as the charge for spirit still No. 2. The remaining 20% (called weak feints) forms the charge for spirit still No.1 otherwise known as ‘The Wee Witchie’. This distils the weak feints three times with only the heart of the final run being collected. It all adds up to the new make spirit having been distilled 2.81 times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to this, all the stills are run relatively speedily with no air rests to rejuvenate the copper and all lyne arms running into cold worm tubs. The result of this complex regime in a copper-starved environment is a building up of sulphur and ‘meatiness’ in the new make spirit, with the ‘dud runs’ on the Wee Witchie providing an extra meaty boost. Although it is aged in a mix of casks, Mortlach’s weight makes it an ideal partner with ex-Sherry casks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile other meaty spirits are made [most notably Benrinnes and Dailuaine] none have Mortlach’s weight, meaning that this is a highly-prized base note for blends. As a result, there has been little stock available for single malt bottlings bar the occasional independent bottlings (most notably with Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail) and small batches of a 16-year-old in Diageo’s Flora \u0026amp; Fauna range. Mortlach seemed destined to remain a cult malt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2014, however, that changed with the launch of a four-strong range: Rare Old, Special Strength, (both no-age-statement), 18-year-old, and 25-year-old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMortlach was the name of the original village which sprang up around the abbey of the name, founded by Saint Moluag in the 7th century. With the building of Dufftown in 1817 the old name fell in abeyance – apart from the distillery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery was the first to be licensed within Dufftown, being founded by James Findlater, Donald Mackintosh and Alex Gordon in 1823. It passed briefly into the hands of the Grant brothers of Glen Grant fame who gutted the buildings and used the equipment for their distillery in Rothes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was George Cowie and his son Alexander who, from the 1850s on, recommenced whisky production and steered Mortlach to a pre-eminent position as a blending malt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough no-one is sure where the unique distillation regime originated, its adherence to richness and weight singles Mortlach out as one of the distilleries with a robust belief in the older ways of making whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt remained in the Cowie’s hands until 1923 when it became part of John Walker \u0026amp; Sons and from there via DCL into Diageo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2014, it was announced that a mirror image of the existing distillery would be built which, when completed, will double total capacity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV \/ 70 Proof\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mortlach","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52883859145042,"sku":"MOR70PROOF1976MINI","price":47.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Mortlach70ProofGordon_MacphailPureMaltSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1976_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772880018"},{"product_id":"strathisla-8-year-old-70-proof-strathisla-glenlivet-gordon-macphail-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Strathisla 8 Year Old 70 Proof Strathisla-Glenlivet Gordon \u0026 Macphail Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eStrathisla 8 Year Old 70 Proof Strathisla-Glenlivet Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old miniature from Strathisla bottled by Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside with added muskiness from the direct fire distillation that we all love once we get to taste the older stuff from back in the day. We miss those days despite not even having been alive in the 70s. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Strathisla\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is most surprising about Strathisla is that so little is made of the fact that this is the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland. It started life as the brewery of the local monastery and turned itself to the making of whisky in 1786, one of the few distilleries in what is now the Speyside region to go legal. It was known as Milltown\/Milton until 1870, but its whisky was long known as Strathisla after the river which it sits beside. The distillery was renamed Strathisla in 1951.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt had a period of considerable fame in the late 19th and early 20th century when it was bottled as a single malt, but by the late 1940s it had fallen on hard times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActing on behalf of Sam Bronfman’s\u003cspan\u003e Seagram\u003c\/span\u003e, the legendary whisky broker\u003cspan\u003e Jimmy Barclay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebought it for £71,000 at auction in 1950, the year after its previous owner had been jailed for tax evasion. It began to rise in prominence immediately as the first piece in Bronfman’s plans for a reformulated Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA major tourist attraction with a fair claim to be Scotland’s prettiest distillery, in recent times it has played the role of the ‘home’ of Chivas Regal. That accolade also explains why this is a relatively small player in terms of single malt with Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail being the main resource for bottlings. A repackaging in 2013 however suggests that times may be changing as far as official bottlings are concerned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV \/ 70 Proof\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Strathisla","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52884034486610,"sku":"STRIS8GM70PROOFMINI","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Strathisla8YearOld70ProofStrathisla-GlenlivetGordon_amp_MacphailSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772882747"},{"product_id":"longmorn-12-year-old-70-proof-longmorn-glenlivet-gordon-macphail-pure-malt-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Longmorn 12 Year Old 70 Proof Longmorn-Glenlivet Gordon \u0026 Macphail Pure Malt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eLongmorn 12 Year Old 70 Proof Longmorn-Glenlivet Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Pure Malt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old miniature of Longmorn from the 1970s. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArguably the most famous independent bottler of Scotch whisky there is. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail was founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It is now owned by the Urquhart Family who have bow bottled over 350 different expressions from around 69 different distilleries. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail is the Trading name of Speymalt Whiskies while also owning the Benromach distillery, which they purchased in 1993. Some of the brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Longmorn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLongmorn has quietly provided a sweet and deeply fruity component to a multiplicity of blends since its founding. Its ferments are long, the distillation takes place in eight thick-necked stills, giving a make which is weighty enough to age well in both ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLongmorn has been available as a single malt since the launch of a 15-year-old in 1993, a bottling which sported a slightly fantastical label showing the distillery nestled in the midst of rugged peaks – it’s on the flatlands near Elgin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was replaced by an extravagantly packaged 16-year-old in 2007, but the needs of blenders have meant that, even with increased production, the vast bulk of Longmorn is ring-fenced, with a single-cask offering part of Chivas Brothers’ Cask Strength series. It is, thankfully, a regular sight on independent bottlers’ lists and, deservedly, has built up a cult following, particularly in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLongmorn was built by one of the 19th century’s most interesting whisky entrepreneurs, John Duff. He was born in Aberchirder, worked at GlenDronach, and after designing nearby Glenlossie in 1876, headed to South Africa to try and start a whisky industry there. He failed (as did most, until very recently) and headed to the US to try his hand there. Knocked back once more he returned home and, undeterred, built Longmorn in 1893. Five years after he built another plant next door – Benriach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was not an ideal time to build two new plants and in 1899 he was forced to sell to James Grant. Although Duff’s business was not sound, his whisky was and by the start of the 20th century Longmorn was a prize malt, used in a variety of blends including VAT 69 and Dewar’s. In 1920, the young Masataka Taketsuru, one of the fathers of Japanese whisky and founder of Nikka, spent a short period working in the distillery. The stills at Nikka’s two distilleries are said to be modelled on Longmorn’s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1970, the Grant family and blender Hill Thompson (which had a long relationship with Longmorn) merged with The Glenlivet \u0026amp; Glen Grant Distilleries Ltd to create The Glenlivet Distilleries Ltd. This was bought by Seagram in 1977 and (minus Glen Grant) is now part of Chivas Brothers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Longmorn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52885067039058,"sku":"LONGM12GM1970MINI","price":49.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Longmorn12YearOld70ProofLongmorn-GlenlivetGordon_amp_MacphailPureMaltSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772890505"},{"product_id":"chivas-regal-12-year-old-strathisla-premium-blended-scotch-whisky-with-tin-1990s-70cl-copy","title":"Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Strathisla 75 Proof Premium Blended Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eChivas Regal 12 Year Old Strathisla 75 Proof Premium Blended Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn older 1990s release of Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Blended Whisky distilled in the 1970s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Chivas Regal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe world’s first luxury blended whisky owned by Chivas Brothers is a lesson in survival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChivas Regal started life as a 25 Year Old designed to woo the high societies of the United States. With a higher malt content than many other blends of the time, its intention was to offer a more sophisticated and complex palate to its rivals. Since then, and with tighter cask management by its owner, Chivas Brothers, the flagship expression is a 12-year-old – although 18 and 25-year-old expressions also form the remainder of the core range – which has a much lower malt content than its predecessor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe typically Speyside character of the blend’s malt constituent displays as green apples and orchard fruits, while its decent grain content lends a honeyed sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of Chivas Regal is one of triumphing through adversity ­– no matter how many times it changed hands or however many world wars threw a spanner in the works, like only a handful of early 20th century blends, it survived.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt begins in 1801 when John Forrest set up a grocery and wine merchants in Aberdeen. Although the business moved about a bit, up and down Castle Street then across to King Street, as well as to a second ‘west branch’ in Union Place and under a variety of owners, whisky was almost always its primary focus. But it wasn’t until the early 20th century, when the business had been known as Chivas Brothers for some 40 years and held a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria, that Chivas Regal’s chapter begins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1900, when the amount of grain whisky produced in Scotland reached over 82.5 million litres, Charles Howard and Alexander Smith, directors of Chivas Brothers, had some six blended whiskies on their books: Magna Charta 5 Year Old, Royal Glen Dee 6 Year Old, Royal Glen Dee Reserve 8 Year Old, Royal Strathythan 10 Year Old, Royal Loch Nevis 20 Year Old and Royal Glen Gaudie, the age of which is unknown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWord spread to the blenders that the economies of the United States and Canada were booming and in 1909 Howard spied an opportunity to launch what came to be the world’s first luxury blended whisky: Chivas Regal 25 Year Old. Within its first year, Chivas Regal became one of the most talked about imported consumer goods among high society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor five years exports were strong for Chivas Brothers, but the onset of war in 1914 meant shipping routes to the US were cut off, and the business focused instead on supplying the local market. It was a dark period to be operating as a luxury spirits merchant, but despite the gloom, Howard continued to purchase and squirrel away stocks of Highland malt whiskies. His unrelenting belief in the future success of blended whisky could have been his enduring legacy, if it weren’t for the sale of his treasured stock following both his and Smith’s unrelated deaths in 1935. The sole remaining partner in the business offloaded Chivas Brothers to whisky brokers Stanley P. Morrison and R.D. Lundie in early 1936, who sold Howard’s prized whisky inventory for £149,000 to fund the purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the years that followed, Morrison worked to restock Chivas Brothers inventories, and by the time WWII broke out in 1939 the decision was taken to relaunch Chivas Regal in the US as a 12 Year Old to preserve stocks. Despite continuing to trade throughout, the war had left Chivas Brothers shaky and the company sold out to Sam Bronfman’s Seagram in 1949. The following year the firm bought Milton distillery, renaming it Strathisla, which not only acts as a key malt component of the blend but plays as the brand’s home in Keith to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1960 Chivas Regal was being exported to some 35 countries while sales in the US reached 100,000 cases – just over 50% of the luxury Scotch whisky market. Just 10 years later that figure grew to 1.2m cases worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mid-level expression, Chivas Regal 18 Year Old was introduced in 1997 to create a ladder within the portfolio, which four years later was sold to Pernod Ricard during the Seagram split. Since then a range of exclusive limited editions and market exclusives have been launched, including Chivas Regal Mizunara – the first Scotch whisky to be matured in Japanese oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese days the brand sells well in excess of 4m cases per year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Tin has rust on top and wear through age with soe silver paint flake on top. This is not in pristine condition and price reflective\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e43% ABV \/ 75 Proof\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chivas Regal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52885828960594,"sku":"CR121990SMINI","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/ChivasRegal12YearOldStrathislaPremiumBlendedScotchWhisky_1990s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772894833"},{"product_id":"benrinnes-1968-gordon-macphail-brown-label-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Benrinnes 1968 Gordon \u0026 Macphail Brown Label Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBenrinnes 1968 Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Brown Label Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn older 1968 distilled Benrinnes miniature from Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArguably the most famous independent bottler of Scotch whisky there is. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail was founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It is now owned by the Urquhart Family who have bow bottled over 350 different expressions from around 69 different distilleries. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail is the Trading name of Speymalt Whiskies while also owning the Benromach distillery, which they purchased in 1993. Some of the brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Benrinnes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on the lower slopes of Speyside’s sentinel mountain, ‘The Ben’ is another of those intriguing distilleries which produces a highly individual make but which – due to its demand by blenders – has never become a front-line single malt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has six stills which are run in two pairs of three. For years a form of partial triple distillation was utilised to help promote a meaty\/sulphury new make character. The low wines from the first distillation were split into strong and weak feints. The lower-strength portion was redistilled in the middle still and split into two again, with the stronger part [strong feints] being carried forward, the weaker being retained for the next charge. The strong feints were then mixed with the highest strength distillate from the wash still and redistilled in the spirit still.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything is run through worm tubs which are kept very cold, adding weight and meatiness to the spirit. In recent years, this complex distillation has been simplified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOccasionally seen as an independent bottling, the clearest manifestation of its meaty quality (which puts it in a similar stylistic camp as Dailuaine, Mortlach and Cragganmore) is Diageo’s Flora and Fauna bottling which comes from 100% ex-Sherry matured whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe current site of the Benrinnes distillery is in fact its second location. The original was built in 1826 by Peter MacKenzie but was destroyed in a flood in 1829. A new site was then found by John Innes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts most famous owner was Alexander Edward who was a partner in Craigellachie distillery, owned Aultmore, Dallas Dhu and was for a time co-owner of Oban [see Craigellachie]. The Edward family sold the distillery (which had caught fire in 1896) to John Dewar in 1922. It is now part of the Diageo stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benrinnes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52892083093842,"sku":"BENRIN1968GM1980MINI","price":49.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Benrinnes1968Gordon_amp_MacphailBrownLabelSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1772984491"},{"product_id":"glen-mhor-8-year-old-rare-old-cask-strength-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Glen Mhor 8 Year Old Rare Old Gordon \u0026 Macphail Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlen Mhor 8 Year Old Rare Old Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare miniature from a long closed distillery from the 1970s. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Glen Mhor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eWhen it can be found, Glen Mhor is a punchy, meaty malt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlen Mhor was one of a number of single malts which were being bottled in the late 19th and early 20th century, a further demonstration that the commonly held notion that this was a 1960s concept is not borne out by historical evidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small two-still operation, it is now very rarely seen although SMWS and Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail have, on occasion, bottled it. Bottlings show it to be a big, fat and quite muscular malt with a meaty and lightly smoky undertow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt re-emerged most recently when it was named as one of the malts in the Mackinlay’s blend which was found entombed in ice under Ernest Shackleton’s hut. The distillery’s other claim to fame was as the place where Scottish novelist, and author of the polemic\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eScotland and Whisky,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eNeil M. Gunn, was first based.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClearly in 1892 when John Birnie, the manager of Glen Albyn (which sat opposite) entered into a business partnership with Leith blender Charles Mackinlay, he was thinking commercially. The new distillery was designed by the leading architect of the era, Charles Doig, and located between the Caledonian Canal and the railway giving it superb communication links. In 1920, Mackinlay \u0026amp; Birnie bought Glen Albyn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnusually, the distillery remained water-powered until the 1950s and had Saladin maltings installed in 1954.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1972, it became a late addition to the DCL portfolio, although it would only remain with the industry giant until 1983 when it was another of Scotland’s smaller stills to close. Three years later it was demolished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeen from a modern perspective in which the importance of whisky tourism is a major consideration, the fact that the capital of the Highlands doesn’t have a single distillery might seem strange. It’s easy to forget how vey different the business was only a few decades ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e57% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e50ml \/ 5cl\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glen Mhor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53024723370322,"sku":"GLMHOR8CSMINI","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/GlenMhor8YearOldRareOldHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774398200"},{"product_id":"springbank-12-year-old-black-label-campbeltown-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Springbank 12 Year Old Black Label Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSpringbank 12 Year Old Black Label Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1980s Miniature of the ever sought after Springbank 12 Year Old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Springbank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringbank is the only distillery in Scotland to malt, distil, mature and bottle on the same site. It manages to do this while operating a highly complex distillation regime, which creates three different styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe equipment at Springbank is resolutely old-style: an old Boby mill, an open-top cast-iron mash tun, wooden washbacks made from boatskin larch; and three stills, direct fire on one of them, a worm tub on another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe malt is handled in three ways to produce three contrasting whiskies – Springbank itself is medium-peated, Longrow is heavily peated, while Hazelburn has no peat at all. Ferments are very long – in excess of 100 hours; with low-gravities which both produces a low-strength wash and high levels of esters. This fruity base is then distilled in three different ways, depending on the style being produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringbank is partially triple-distilled. The wash still (which is direct fired) works as normal producing low wines, the strongest portion of which are directed to the spirit still charger. The remainder is redistilled in the intermediate still (which has a worm tub) and put into the feints receiver along with the heads and tails from the spirit still distillation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mix makes up 80% of the final charge, with the strong portion of low wines from the wash still making up the remaining 20%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnsurprisingly, the result is a highly complex new make that is collected at an average strength of 71-72% – lightly smoky, oily, fruity, delicately fragrant yet powerful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLongrow is heavier and smokier – the malted barley obviously playing a significant part, but so does distillation in the direct-fired wash still and second distillation in the spirit still which has the worm tub. It is collected at 68%, lower than Springbank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHazelburn undergoes standard triple distillation and is collected at between 74-76% abv.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaturation for all three is in a mix of casks – as well as the standard ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry and refill, other types [wine and rum] and sizes [60 litre ‘rundlets’ and 50 litre ‘kilderkan' are used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinuity is the watchword at Springbank. This distillery has been in the ownership of the Mitchell family and its ancestors since 1837. Indeed, as its founder William Reid was related to the Mitchells by marriage you could argue that they were there from the word go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was in 1828 that Reid took out a licence, but there was a rich – and extensive – heritage of illicit distillation in the Kintyre Peninsula. Indeed, thanks to the Still Books of Campbeltown plumber and coppersmith, Robert Armour, we can accurately chart how many there were. The books show that Armour made 400 sma’ stills from 1811-1817, bringing him an income of £350 per year, and the surnames Reid and Mitchell appear in his detailed accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike many smugglers, Reid didn’t survive long once he joined the legitimate trade and in 1837 he sold to his in-laws John and William Mitchell. The latter brother left in 1872 to join his other two brothers at Riechlachan, at which point John’s son Alexander joined Springbank [hence the J\u0026amp;A Mitchell still on the label].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 19th and early 20th centuries were a boom time for Campbeltown. Thanks to a fast sea crossing to Glasgow and a small coal seam at nearby Machrihanish it became Scotland’s whisky capital. At some point or other there were 35 distilleries operational. The style tended to be medium- to heavy-bodied, with some smokiness and an oily texture (though each distillery would work its own variation on this theme).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distilling trade, however, collapsed in the 1920s. All of Scotland was affected with 50 distilleries closing, but Campbeltown was disproportionately affected, with only Springbank, Glen Scotia and Hazelburn surviving the Great Purge. By the 1960s only it and Glen Scotia were left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is not to say it was not immune to the vagaries of the whisky trade. Despite beginning to build a reputation as a single malt, Springbank was mothballed between 1979 to 1987. On reopening, owner Hedley Wright [John Mitchell’s great-great grandson] made the momentous decision to no longer sell to blenders, but develop single malt sales. Maltings were re-opened in 1992 and while the combination of managing limited stocks – the result of the mothballed period and somewhat over-eager sales of what was left – it has taken a number of years to get the Springbank range fully balanced, which now it is. It remains, deservedly, one of Scotland’s cult malt whiskies and a template for many new distillers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e46% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Springbank","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53053481976146,"sku":"SPR12BL1980MINI","price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Springbank12YearOldBlackLabelCampbeltownSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774827474"},{"product_id":"springbank-12-year-old-80-proof-green-bottling-campbeltown-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Springbank 12 Year Old 80 Proof Green Bottling Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSpringbank 12 Year Old 80 Proof Green Bottling Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1980s Miniature of the ever sought after Springbank 12 Year Old in 80 Proof from the 1980s. Now a highly collectable piece for the Springbank Collector to have alongside the full bottle if one can ever find these again. This was Springbank back before it was even known about or popular at all so most of the locals drunk it instead of keeping it and it was popular in local taverns and pubs alongside the west side of Scotland into Glasgow. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNowadays one even struggles to get recent releases. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Springbank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringbank is the only distillery in Scotland to malt, distil, mature and bottle on the same site. It manages to do this while operating a highly complex distillation regime, which creates three different styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe equipment at Springbank is resolutely old-style: an old Boby mill, an open-top cast-iron mash tun, wooden washbacks made from boatskin larch; and three stills, direct fire on one of them, a worm tub on another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe malt is handled in three ways to produce three contrasting whiskies – Springbank itself is medium-peated, Longrow is heavily peated, while Hazelburn has no peat at all. Ferments are very long – in excess of 100 hours; with low-gravities which both produces a low-strength wash and high levels of esters. This fruity base is then distilled in three different ways, depending on the style being produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringbank is partially triple-distilled. The wash still (which is direct fired) works as normal producing low wines, the strongest portion of which are directed to the spirit still charger. The remainder is redistilled in the intermediate still (which has a worm tub) and put into the feints receiver along with the heads and tails from the spirit still distillation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mix makes up 80% of the final charge, with the strong portion of low wines from the wash still making up the remaining 20%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnsurprisingly, the result is a highly complex new make that is collected at an average strength of 71-72% – lightly smoky, oily, fruity, delicately fragrant yet powerful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLongrow is heavier and smokier – the malted barley obviously playing a significant part, but so does distillation in the direct-fired wash still and second distillation in the spirit still which has the worm tub. It is collected at 68%, lower than Springbank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHazelburn undergoes standard triple distillation and is collected at between 74-76% abv.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaturation for all three is in a mix of casks – as well as the standard ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry and refill, other types [wine and rum] and sizes [60 litre ‘rundlets’ and 50 litre ‘kilderkan' are used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinuity is the watchword at Springbank. This distillery has been in the ownership of the Mitchell family and its ancestors since 1837. Indeed, as its founder William Reid was related to the Mitchells by marriage you could argue that they were there from the word go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was in 1828 that Reid took out a licence, but there was a rich – and extensive – heritage of illicit distillation in the Kintyre Peninsula. Indeed, thanks to the Still Books of Campbeltown plumber and coppersmith, Robert Armour, we can accurately chart how many there were. The books show that Armour made 400 sma’ stills from 1811-1817, bringing him an income of £350 per year, and the surnames Reid and Mitchell appear in his detailed accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike many smugglers, Reid didn’t survive long once he joined the legitimate trade and in 1837 he sold to his in-laws John and William Mitchell. The latter brother left in 1872 to join his other two brothers at Riechlachan, at which point John’s son Alexander joined Springbank [hence the J\u0026amp;A Mitchell still on the label].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 19th and early 20th centuries were a boom time for Campbeltown. Thanks to a fast sea crossing to Glasgow and a small coal seam at nearby Machrihanish it became Scotland’s whisky capital. At some point or other there were 35 distilleries operational. The style tended to be medium- to heavy-bodied, with some smokiness and an oily texture (though each distillery would work its own variation on this theme).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distilling trade, however, collapsed in the 1920s. All of Scotland was affected with 50 distilleries closing, but Campbeltown was disproportionately affected, with only Springbank, Glen Scotia and Hazelburn surviving the Great Purge. By the 1960s only it and Glen Scotia were left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is not to say it was not immune to the vagaries of the whisky trade. Despite beginning to build a reputation as a single malt, Springbank was mothballed between 1979 to 1987. On reopening, owner Hedley Wright [John Mitchell’s great-great grandson] made the momentous decision to no longer sell to blenders, but develop single malt sales. Maltings were re-opened in 1992 and while the combination of managing limited stocks – the result of the mothballed period and somewhat over-eager sales of what was left – it has taken a number of years to get the Springbank range fully balanced, which now it is. It remains, deservedly, one of Scotland’s cult malt whiskies and a template for many new distillers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e46% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Springbank","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53053486989650,"sku":"SPR1280PR1980MINI","price":129.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Springbank12YearOld80ProofGreenBottlingCampbeltownSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774828143"},{"product_id":"glenburgie-1948-1968-gordon-macphail-royal-wedding-lady-diana-spencer-rare-limited-edition-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1981-5cl-miniature","title":"Glenburgie 1948 \u0026 1968 Gordon \u0026 Macphail Royal Wedding Lady Diana Spencer Rare Limited Edition Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1981) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlenburgie 1948 \u0026amp; 1968 Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Royal Wedding Lady Diana Spencer Rare Limited Edition Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1981) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare miniature bottled by Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiana, Princess of Wales, born Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961, was a prominent member of the British royal family and the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales (later Charles III). She was known for her beauty, style, and humanitarian efforts, particularly in AIDS awareness and landmine prevention. Diana married Charles in 1981, and they had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Their marriage faced challenges, including infidelity, leading to their divorce in 1996. Tragically, Diana died in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, and her life and work continue to inspire many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArguably the most famous independent bottler of Scotch whisky there is. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail was founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It is now owned by the Urquhart Family who have bow bottled over 350 different expressions from around 69 different distilleries. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail is the Trading name of Speymalt Whiskies while also owning the Benromach distillery, which they purchased in 1993. Some of the brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Glenburgie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFragrant, sweet, slightly grassy and with a lick of oiliness, Glenburgie’s make is pretty much entirely ring-fenced by blender Sandy Hyslop for the Ballantine’s blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBallantine’s status as the second largest seller in the world accounts for the fact that Glenburgie’s sightings as a single malt are as infrequent as those of the Loch Ness monster. Allied only bottled it once and Chivas Bros. has only ever included it in its limited edition Cask Strength series (which are only available through the firms’ distillery visitors' centres). It very occasionally pops up as an independent bottling, as do some of the last remaining stocks of Glencraig. It is not commonly seen other than as a bottling from Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail. However, in July 2017 Glenburgie was released as a 15-year-old single malt (alongside expressions from Glentauchers and Miltonduff) under the Ballantine’s brand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough its little-known as a single malt, Glenburgie’s history stretches back to 1829 when it was built on the flatlands near Forres by William Paul. After the (fairly common) multiple changes in ownership it became part of the estate of blenders James \u0026amp; George Stodart, owner of the Old Smuggler blend, although they never actually made whisky on the site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStodart was bought out by Hiram Walker in 1936, at the same time the Canadian firm bought Miltonduff. Ever since then Glenburgie has been closely associated with the Ballantine’s blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike Miltonduff, it was home to a pair of ‘Lomond’ stills from 1958 to 1981, which produced a malt known as Glencraig.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2004, the old distillery was demolished and a new, larger, open plan one was constructed. A third pair of stills was added at this point. It has been part of Chivas Brothers since 2005.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glenburgie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53053491216722,"sku":"GLBUR1948RW1981MINI","price":149.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Glenburgie1948_1968Gordon_MacphailRoyalWeddingLadyDianaSpencerRareLimitedEditionSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1981_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774828624"},{"product_id":"strathisla-1948-1968-gordon-macphail-royal-wedding-lady-diana-spencer-rare-limited-edition-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1981-5cl-miniature-copy","title":"Strathisla 1948 \u0026 1968 Gordon \u0026 Macphail Royal Wedding Lady Diana Spencer Rare Limited Edition Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1981) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlenburgie 1948 \u0026amp; 1968 Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Royal Wedding Lady Diana Spencer Rare Limited Edition Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1981) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare miniature bottled by Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiana, Princess of Wales, born Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961, was a prominent member of the British royal family and the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales (later Charles III). She was known for her beauty, style, and humanitarian efforts, particularly in AIDS awareness and landmine prevention. Diana married Charles in 1981, and they had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Their marriage faced challenges, including infidelity, leading to their divorce in 1996. Tragically, Diana died in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, and her life and work continue to inspire many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArguably the most famous independent bottler of Scotch whisky there is. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail was founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It is now owned by the Urquhart Family who have bow bottled over 350 different expressions from around 69 different distilleries. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail is the Trading name of Speymalt Whiskies while also owning the Benromach distillery, which they purchased in 1993. Some of the brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Glenburgie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFragrant, sweet, slightly grassy and with a lick of oiliness, Glenburgie’s make is pretty much entirely ring-fenced by blender Sandy Hyslop for the Ballantine’s blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBallantine’s status as the second largest seller in the world accounts for the fact that Glenburgie’s sightings as a single malt are as infrequent as those of the Loch Ness monster. Allied only bottled it once and Chivas Bros. has only ever included it in its limited edition Cask Strength series (which are only available through the firms’ distillery visitors' centres). It very occasionally pops up as an independent bottling, as do some of the last remaining stocks of Glencraig. It is not commonly seen other than as a bottling from Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail. However, in July 2017 Glenburgie was released as a 15-year-old single malt (alongside expressions from Glentauchers and Miltonduff) under the Ballantine’s brand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough its little-known as a single malt, Glenburgie’s history stretches back to 1829 when it was built on the flatlands near Forres by William Paul. After the (fairly common) multiple changes in ownership it became part of the estate of blenders James \u0026amp; George Stodart, owner of the Old Smuggler blend, although they never actually made whisky on the site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStodart was bought out by Hiram Walker in 1936, at the same time the Canadian firm bought Miltonduff. Ever since then Glenburgie has been closely associated with the Ballantine’s blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike Miltonduff, it was home to a pair of ‘Lomond’ stills from 1958 to 1981, which produced a malt known as Glencraig.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2004, the old distillery was demolished and a new, larger, open plan one was constructed. A third pair of stills was added at this point. It has been part of Chivas Brothers since 2005.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Strathisla","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53056270074194,"sku":"STRISG\u0026M1948MINI","price":149.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Strathisla1948_1968Gordon_MacphailRoyalWeddingLadyDianaSpencerRareLimitedEditionSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1981_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774865582"},{"product_id":"glen-grant-1948-1968-gordon-macphail-royal-wedding-lady-diana-spencer-rare-limited-edition-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1981-5cl-miniature","title":"Glen Grant 1948 \u0026 1968 Gordon \u0026 Macphail Royal Wedding Lady Diana Spencer Rare Limited Edition Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1981) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlen Grant 1948 \u0026amp; 1968 Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Royal Wedding Lady Diana Spencer Rare Limited Edition Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1981) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare miniature bottled by Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiana, Princess of Wales, born Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961, was a prominent member of the British royal family and the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales (later Charles III). She was known for her beauty, style, and humanitarian efforts, particularly in AIDS awareness and landmine prevention. Diana married Charles in 1981, and they had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Their marriage faced challenges, including infidelity, leading to their divorce in 1996. Tragically, Diana died in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, and her life and work continue to inspire many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArguably the most famous independent bottler of Scotch whisky there is. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail was founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It is now owned by the Urquhart Family who have bow bottled over 350 different expressions from around 69 different distilleries. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail is the Trading name of Speymalt Whiskies while also owning the Benromach distillery, which they purchased in 1993. Some of the brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Glenburgie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFragrant, sweet, slightly grassy and with a lick of oiliness, Glenburgie’s make is pretty much entirely ring-fenced by blender Sandy Hyslop for the Ballantine’s blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBallantine’s status as the second largest seller in the world accounts for the fact that Glenburgie’s sightings as a single malt are as infrequent as those of the Loch Ness monster. Allied only bottled it once and Chivas Bros. has only ever included it in its limited edition Cask Strength series (which are only available through the firms’ distillery visitors' centres). It very occasionally pops up as an independent bottling, as do some of the last remaining stocks of Glencraig. It is not commonly seen other than as a bottling from Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail. However, in July 2017 Glenburgie was released as a 15-year-old single malt (alongside expressions from Glentauchers and Miltonduff) under the Ballantine’s brand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough its little-known as a single malt, Glenburgie’s history stretches back to 1829 when it was built on the flatlands near Forres by William Paul. After the (fairly common) multiple changes in ownership it became part of the estate of blenders James \u0026amp; George Stodart, owner of the Old Smuggler blend, although they never actually made whisky on the site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStodart was bought out by Hiram Walker in 1936, at the same time the Canadian firm bought Miltonduff. Ever since then Glenburgie has been closely associated with the Ballantine’s blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike Miltonduff, it was home to a pair of ‘Lomond’ stills from 1958 to 1981, which produced a malt known as Glencraig.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2004, the old distillery was demolished and a new, larger, open plan one was constructed. A third pair of stills was added at this point. It has been part of Chivas Brothers since 2005.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glen Grant","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53056434143570,"sku":"GLGR1948G\u0026MMINI","price":149.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/GlenGrant1948_1968Gordon_MacphailRoyalWeddingLadyDianaSpencerRareLimitedEditionSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1981_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774867020"},{"product_id":"glenlossie-1972-gordon-macphail-connoisseurs-choice-old-map-label-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1991-5cl-miniature","title":"Glenlossie 1972 Gordon \u0026 Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Old Map Label Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1991) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003cp\u003eGlenlossie 1972 Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Old Map Label Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1991) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA miniature of an older Glenlossie bottling distilled in the 70s when direct fire was used so that slightly older musky taste is there whereas it is lost a little with steam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArguably the most famous independent bottler of Scotch whisky there is. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail was founded in Elgin in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. It is now owned by the Urquhart Family who have bow bottled over 350 different expressions from around 69 different distilleries. Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail is the Trading name of Speymalt Whiskies while also owning the Benromach distillery, which they purchased in 1993. Some of the brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Glenlossie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlenlossie was founded near Elgin in 1876 by John Duff, a former manager at Glendronach, in partnership with a consortium including Alexander Grigor Allan (who would later have a share in Talisker) and HMS Mackay. The restless, entrepreneurial Duff departed in 1888 to seek his fortune in South Africa and, later, the USA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1962, Glenlossie's license was transferred to the DCL subsidiary Haig (the blend which accounted for almost the entirety of Glenlossie's malt). At the same time the number of stills was increased from four to six. Less than a decade later, in 1971,a sister distillery, Mannochmore, was constructed on Glenlossie's site and a dark grains plant was also added to convert pot ale and draff from the group's distilleries into animal feed. There is also a bonded warehouse on Glenlossie's land containing over 200,000 maturing casks from various Diageo distilleries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven that Glenlossie was named as one of only twelve 'top class' malts by blenders in 1974, it is perhaps surprising that the distillery is so little-known. The reason, however, is easy to determine - the blender's high regard means that demand for Glenlossie remains extremely high, and as a result less than 1% of the distillery's output is kept back for single malt. The only official bottling of Glenlossie currently available is the 10 yo Flora \u0026amp; Fauna release available since the 1990s. This range is being gradually phased out, however, and it remains to be seen what plans Diageo have for this distinguished, yet obscure, workhorse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndependent bottlings of Glenlossie are pretty rare, although Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail have bottled a handful of expressions recently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glenlossie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53056653033810,"sku":"GLLOS1972GM1991MINI","price":39.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Glenlossie1972Gordon_MacphailConnoisseursChoiceOldMapLabelSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1991_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774870157"},{"product_id":"passport-blended-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Passport Blended Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 28px;\"\u003ePassport Blended Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePassport Scotch, also called Passport Blended Scotch Whisky, is a brand of scotch whisky produced by the Chivas Brothers subsidiary of Pernod Ricard in Scotland. It was first produced by Seagram Distillers, PLC. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAccording to Classic Blended Scotch by Jim Murray, Passport is a blend of more flavoured highland malts with lighter and sweet lowland whiskies, made at Seagram's Speyside distilleries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe particular blend used in Passport Scotch was first produced in the 1960s by master blender Jimmy Lang, of Seagram's Scottish subsidiary Chivas Brothers, and started being sold in 1965.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt sold 1.7 million bottles in 2015, being a strong performer in Brazil (where it is second on the Scotch whisky market), Portugal, Poland, Spain, Mexico and India.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e70cl\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Passport","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53056679280978,"sku":"PASSPORTBSWMINI","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/PassportBlendedScotchWhisky_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774871278"},{"product_id":"linkwood-12-year-old-john-mcewan-sons-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Linkwood 12 Year Old John McEwan \u0026 Sons Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eLinkwood 12 Year Old John McEwan \u0026amp; Sons Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old 1980s bottling of Linkwood by John McEwan \u0026amp; Sons. They operated between the 1970s and 1980s. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Linkwood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLinkwood is another of the light Speyside camp. The new make has the aroma of a spring meadow – mixing cut grass, apple and peach blossom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen mature, however, although Linkwood's freshness is retained the palate reveals a thick texture which slows the whisky down in the mouth. It is this combination of texture and delicacy which makes it prized by blenders – and much loved by malt whisky aficionados. The fragrance is achieved by creating very clear wort, having a very long fermentation and distilling (slowly to maximise copper conversation) in pairs of stills in which the spirit is larger than the wash, allowing even more copper contact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on the outskirts of Elgin (though now within its ever-growing suburbs) Linkwood was established in 1821, but only started production in 1824. Owner Peter Brown was the factor [manager] of the Linkwood Estate and wisely kept his nose clean until the 1823 Excise Act was on the stature book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was completely rebuilt in 1874 by his son William and existed as an independent distiller, run by an Elgin-based whisky broker, until 1932 when it joined the DCL stable. It has remained in production ever since, with regular upgrades taking place, most significantly in 1972 when a new distillery was built opposite the old buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth plants ran until 1985 when the original ceased production, although it was still used as an experimental site – it was here that a lot of Diageo’s research into copper, reflux and the effect of worm tubs took place. In the late 1990s it was on the shortlist to become the Speyside representative in The Classic Malts range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2012, the old building was demolished as part of yet another upgrade. This time six new washbacks were installed in a new distillery along with two new stills. Capacity is now in excess of 5.5m litres per annum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLinkwood is bottled as a 12-year-old in Diageo’s Flora \u0026amp; Fauna range, and for many years quasi-official bottlings have come from Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail of Elgin – often from ex-Sherry casks. Other independent bottlings appear fairly regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Linkwood","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53062507626834,"sku":"LINK12JMCE1990MINI","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Linkwood12YearOldJohnMcEwan_SonsSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774891734"},{"product_id":"cardhu-12-year-old-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Cardhu 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCardhu 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1970s miniature of Cardhu single malt back in the days of direct fire distillation which gave many speyside whiskies their added flavour of musk \/ mild smoke \/ burnt caramel. It's fantastic but sadly that is lost in today's times with steam heat. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Cardhu\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCardhu is a Speyside distillery near Archiestown, Moray, Scotland founded by the whisky smuggler John Cumming in 1824. The distillery is currently run by Diageo and the distillery's Scotch whisky makes up an important part of the famous Johnnie Walker blended whiskies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe word \"Cardhu\" derives from the Scots Gaelic Carn Dubh, meaning \"Black Rock\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLegally established in 1824 by John Cumming, as Cardow distillery, it’s been long suspected that distilling was carried out on this site since the early 1800s. The distillery was rebuilt in 1884, before the blending company of John Walker \u0026amp; Sons from Kilmarnock took an interest in the 1890s, as they went about acquiring stakes in various distilleries. In 1893, they purchased the distillery and Cardhu has been forever associated with the striding man. The distillery itself has grown in tandem with the Johnnie Walker brand and changed its name to Cardhu in 1981 with a visitor centre also constructed just prior to the millennium. Most famously, in 2002, it launches a vatted single malt which comprises of malts from other Diageo distilleries. This isn’t well-received in some parts of the industry, in particular by rival competitor William Grant \u0026amp; Sons. Diageo eventually cancels the range in 2004 and since has focused on building the Cardhu single malt range, which enjoys staunch international support in countries such as Spain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cardhu","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53062718226770,"sku":"CARD12YO1970MINI","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Cardhu12YearOldSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1774892934"},{"product_id":"springbank-29-year-old-countdown-collection-limited-edition-campbeltown-single-malt-scotch-whisky-2026-5cl-miniature","title":"Springbank 29 Year Old Countdown Collection Limited Edition Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2026) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSpringbank 29 Year Old Countdown Collection Limited Edition Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2026) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 of 500 bottles worldwide. These are becoming increasingly rare as more people subscribe to obtaining the entire collection. This is the penultimate bottle. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Countdown Collection is a celebration of the endurance, adaptability and unwavering commitment to producing whisky of the highest quality using traditional methods. The whiskies in this five part series are a tribute to the generations who have contributed to the success of Springbank under the steadfast leadership of J. \u0026amp; A. Mitchell. This series will feature one special bottling released each year from the distillery in the lead up to their landmark anniversary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese whiskies are just one part of what will be a wider celebration of this huge achievement for the distillery which has remained independent throughout its 200 year history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose: A gentle creaminess introduces this dram with notes of peach, apricot and almonds, and there is a prominent tropical influence in hints of papaya, watermelon and coconut shavings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate: Honeycomb sweetness leads on the palate, with a sea salt note building in the background. The sherry influence becomes more pronounced in notes of fig jam, muscovado sugar and cocoa powder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Springbank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringbank is the only distillery in Scotland to malt, distil, mature and bottle on the same site. It manages to do this while operating a highly complex distillation regime, which creates three different styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe equipment at Springbank is resolutely old-style: an old Boby mill, an open-top cast-iron mash tun, wooden washbacks made from boatskin larch; and three stills, direct fire on one of them, a worm tub on another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe malt is handled in three ways to produce three contrasting whiskies – Springbank itself is medium-peated, Longrow is heavily peated, while Hazelburn has no peat at all. Ferments are very long – in excess of 100 hours; with low-gravities which both produces a low-strength wash and high levels of esters. This fruity base is then distilled in three different ways, depending on the style being produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringbank is partially triple-distilled. The wash still (which is direct fired) works as normal producing low wines, the strongest portion of which are directed to the spirit still charger. The remainder is redistilled in the intermediate still (which has a worm tub) and put into the feints receiver along with the heads and tails from the spirit still distillation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mix makes up 80% of the final charge, with the strong portion of low wines from the wash still making up the remaining 20%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnsurprisingly, the result is a highly complex new make that is collected at an average strength of 71-72% – lightly smoky, oily, fruity, delicately fragrant yet powerful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLongrow is heavier and smokier – the malted barley obviously playing a significant part, but so does distillation in the direct-fired wash still and second distillation in the spirit still which has the worm tub. It is collected at 68%, lower than Springbank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHazelburn undergoes standard triple distillation and is collected at between 74-76% abv.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaturation for all three is in a mix of casks – as well as the standard ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry and refill, other types [wine and rum] and sizes [60 litre ‘rundlets’ and 50 litre ‘kilderkan' are used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinuity is the watchword at Springbank. This distillery has been in the ownership of the Mitchell family and its ancestors since 1837. Indeed, as its founder William Reid was related to the Mitchells by marriage you could argue that they were there from the word go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was in 1828 that Reid took out a licence, but there was a rich – and extensive – heritage of illicit distillation in the Kintyre Peninsula. Indeed, thanks to the Still Books of Campbeltown plumber and coppersmith, Robert Armour, we can accurately chart how many there were. The books show that Armour made 400 sma’ stills from 1811-1817, bringing him an income of £350 per year, and the surnames Reid and Mitchell appear in his detailed accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike many smugglers, Reid didn’t survive long once he joined the legitimate trade and in 1837 he sold to his in-laws John and William Mitchell. The latter brother left in 1872 to join his other two brothers at Riechlachan, at which point John’s son Alexander joined Springbank [hence the J\u0026amp;A Mitchell still on the label].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 19th and early 20th centuries were a boom time for Campbeltown. Thanks to a fast sea crossing to Glasgow and a small coal seam at nearby Machrihanish it became Scotland’s whisky capital. At some point or other there were 35 distilleries operational. The style tended to be medium- to heavy-bodied, with some smokiness and an oily texture (though each distillery would work its own variation on this theme).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distilling trade, however, collapsed in the 1920s. All of Scotland was affected with 50 distilleries closing, but Campbeltown was disproportionately affected, with only Springbank, Glen Scotia and Hazelburn surviving the Great Purge. By the 1960s only it and Glen Scotia were left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is not to say it was not immune to the vagaries of the whisky trade. Despite beginning to build a reputation as a single malt, Springbank was mothballed between 1979 to 1987. On reopening, owner Hedley Wright [John Mitchell’s great-great grandson] made the momentous decision to no longer sell to blenders, but develop single malt sales. Maltings were re-opened in 1992 and while the combination of managing limited stocks – the result of the mothballed period and somewhat over-eager sales of what was left – it has taken a number of years to get the Springbank range fully balanced, which now it is. It remains, deservedly, one of Scotland’s cult malt whiskies and a template for many new distillers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e50.8% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e70cl\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Springbank","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53062744768850,"sku":"SPR29COUNTDOWN26MINI","price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Springbank_29_Year_Old_Countdown_Collection_Limited_Edition_Campbeltown_Single_Malt_Scotch_Whisky_2026_5cl_Miniature.jpg?v=1774895850"},{"product_id":"duncraig-by-lairdshall-blending-co-italian-import-blended-scotch-whisky-1960s-3-7cl-miniature","title":"Duncraig by Lairdshall Blending Co Italian Import Blended Scotch Whisky (1960s) 3.7cl Miniature","description":"\u003cp\u003eDuncraig by Lairdshall Blending Co Italian Import Blended Scotch Whisky (1960s) 3.7cl Miniature\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003eDuncraig blended whisky is\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003ea\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003eproduct\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003efrom\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003eSlater\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003eRodger\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003e\u0026amp;\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003eCo.,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003eknown\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003efor\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003eits\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003ehistorical\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003esignificance\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003ein\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003ethe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003ewhisky\u003cspan\u003e industry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis was bottled in the 1960s. A rare old bottling that is tough to come across today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"gs_tkn\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA piece of whisky history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.7cl \/ 37ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Duncraig","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53115381285202,"sku":"DUNCRAIGBSW1960MINI","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/DuncraigbyLairdshallBlendingCoItalianImportBlendedScotchWhisky_1960s_3.7clMiniature.jpg?v=1775218845"},{"product_id":"glenmorangie-port-wood-finish-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-2000-5cl-miniature","title":"Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2007) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 28px;\"\u003eGlenmorangie Port Wood Finish Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2007) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rare and discontinued bottling of the Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish was produced by the original 16 men of Tain.\u003cbr\u003eThis old style Highland single malt was distilled at the Glenmorangie distillery and bottled under the Port Wood Finish label in the late 1990's and early 2000s. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe whisky has been aged for a full 14 years instead of the usual 12 years. Displaced by the Quinta Ruban. This is a special whisky. which possess dark cherries. prunes and date flavour tones, with slight earthiness coming from the port cask.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Glenmorangie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe attention paid to its pioneering work in wood management has resulted in Glenmorangie’s distillation regime being slightly overlooked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe process at Glenmorangie starts with mashing unpeated barley with water from the distillery’s Tarlogie Springs – making this one of a small number of hard water sites in Scotland. Although there is no smoke, once a year some chocolate malt is added to the mash for use in the firm’s Signet brand – another of the distillery’s many innovations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFermentation is long, while distillation takes place in the tallest stills in Scotland, all of which retain the same long-necked design of the pair which were brought from John Taylor’s gin distillery in 1887. This extra height allows a long interaction to take place between alcohol vapour and copper and, while the new make is decidedly high-toned (the cut points here are quite high), there is still a little note of cereal, adding a dry counterpoint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of Glenmorangie’s make is aged in ex-American oak casks, many of which have been made to the distillery’s exacting specifications: slow-growth American white oak from north-facing slopes in Missouri, which is then air-dried. The firm’s Astar bottling uses 100% of these ‘bespoke’ casks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe casks are only used twice, with the second-fill casks all ageing in damp ‘dunnage’ warehouses to increase oxidative-driven flavours. As the whisky matures, it picks up more lush fruits, some honey and mint, as well as notes of vanilla, crème brûlee and, in the oldest expressions, chocolate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the mature spirit is then transferred to ex-fortified wine (Port, Sherry) and still wine (Sauternes, Burgundy, Super-Tuscan etc) casks for a period of finishing. Glenmorangie was one of the pioneers of this technique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSituated next to the Dornoch Firth in a series of handsome red sandstone buildings, the Glenmorangie distillery started life as the local brewery for the town of Tain. In 1843, William Matheson converted it to a distillery and it remained in the family until 1887, when it was sold to the Glenmorangie Distillery Co, co-owned by the Maitland brothers and Duncan Cameron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the First World War, the business was sold to a partnership between two blending and broking firms, Macdonald \u0026amp; Muir and Durham \u0026amp; Co, soon passing entirely to the former, which used the whisky for blends such as Highland Queen. Although it was bottled in small quantities from the 1920s, a change of strategy in 1959 saw Glenmorangie revived as a single malt that soon became Scotland’s biggest seller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was not the first time that this had happened, however. Records show that at the end of the 19th century Glenmorangie was being sold at The Savoy and other top-end London hotels, as well as being exported.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly success in the infant single malt category resulted in two more stills being added to the original pair in 1976, a number which was doubled again in 1990. In 2009, four more were added, along with a larger mash tun and extra washbacks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFive years previously, French luxury goods firm Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) had bought the firm (also including Ardbeg) for £300m. More recently, extra warehousing has been built, the result of a decision to mature and vat all the production on-site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn January 2018, it was announced that a new stillhouse would be built, housing two more of Glenmorangie’s distinctive, long-necked stills, plus a new mash tun and washbacks. The new facility will enable more experimental runs, with indications that innovations such as the use of stainless steel condensers will be explored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e43% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis product is not to be purchased by anyone under the age of 18 or drinking age in their country.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe reserve the right to ask for your identification should it be necessary to do so.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glenmorangie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53115435155794,"sku":"GLMOPWFMINI","price":17.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/GlenmorangiePortWoodFinishHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_2000_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775219245"},{"product_id":"strathisla-8-year-old-70-proof-strathisla-glenlivet-gordon-macphail-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature-copy","title":"Strathisla 8 Year Old 70 Proof Strathisla-Glenlivet Gordon \u0026 Macphail Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eStrathisla 8 Year Old 70 Proof Strathisla-Glenlivet Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old miniature from Strathisla bottled by Gordon \u0026amp; Macphail. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside with added muskiness from the direct fire distillation that we all love once we get to taste the older stuff from back in the day. We miss those days despite not even having been alive in the 70s. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Strathisla\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is most surprising about Strathisla is that so little is made of the fact that this is the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland. It started life as the brewery of the local monastery and turned itself to the making of whisky in 1786, one of the few distilleries in what is now the Speyside region to go legal. It was known as Milltown\/Milton until 1870, but its whisky was long known as Strathisla after the river which it sits beside. The distillery was renamed Strathisla in 1951.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt had a period of considerable fame in the late 19th and early 20th century when it was bottled as a single malt, but by the late 1940s it had fallen on hard times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActing on behalf of Sam Bronfman’s\u003cspan\u003e Seagram\u003c\/span\u003e, the legendary whisky broker\u003cspan\u003e Jimmy Barclay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebought it for £71,000 at auction in 1950, the year after its previous owner had been jailed for tax evasion. It began to rise in prominence immediately as the first piece in Bronfman’s plans for a reformulated Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA major tourist attraction with a fair claim to be Scotland’s prettiest distillery, in recent times it has played the role of the ‘home’ of Chivas Regal. That accolade also explains why this is a relatively small player in terms of single malt with Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail being the main resource for bottlings. A repackaging in 2013 however suggests that times may be changing as far as official bottlings are concerned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV \/ 70 Proof\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Strathisla","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53115479392594,"sku":"STRIS8GM70PROOFMINI","price":42.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Strathisla8YearOld70ProofStrathisla-GlenlivetGordon_MacphailSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhiskySilverCap_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775219884"},{"product_id":"abbots-choice-finest-old-scotch-whisky-75-7cl-70-proof-blended-scotch-whisky-1960s-75-7cl-copy","title":"Abbot's Choice Finest Old Scotch Whisky 75.7cl 70 Proof Blended Scotch Whisky (1960s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 28px;\"\u003eAbbot's Choice Finest Old Scotch Whisky 75.7cl 70 Proof Blended Scotch Whisky (1960s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI think whoever made this liked it so much that they got too high on their own supply. 757ml. Not 750 but whatever it was just went.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the years Scotch whisky has been bottled in everything from miniature golf bags to models of Nessie and Big Ben, so why not use a ceramic monk and employ his head as a stopper? Every time you felt like a dram you could decapitate the poor fellow and then put him back together again. Such was the thinking of John McEwan \u0026amp; Co Ltd of Elgin and Leith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend may have contained Linkwood, which was licenced to John McEwan \u0026amp; Co by the DCL in the mid-20th century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBottled in the 1960s - 1970s. Hard to tell\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e70 Proof\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e757ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Abbot's Choice","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53115652473170,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Abbot_sChoiceFinestOldScotchWhisky75.7cl70ProofBlendedScotchWhisky_1960s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775222125"},{"product_id":"famous-grouse-royal-warrant-of-appointment-kwam-pas-in-1984-matthew-gloag-sons-blended-scotch-whisky-1984-5cl-miniature","title":"Famous Grouse Royal Warrant of Appointment kwam pas in 1984 Matthew Gloag \u0026 Sons Blended Scotch Whisky (1984) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eFamous Grouse Royal Warrant of Appointment kwam pas in 1984 Matthew Gloag \u0026amp; Sons Blended Scotch Whisky (1984) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn older 1984 miniature of Famous Grouse \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Famous Grouse, a brand of blended Scotch whisky, was created by Matthew Gloag \u0026amp; Son in 1896. The company, originally a grocer and wine merchant, expanded to whisky blending and bottling. The iconic red grouse logo was designed by Matthew Gloag's daughter and is still used today. The brand has been a staple in the whisky market, known for its popularity and sales, especially during the Christmas season. The Famous Grouse is a testament to the Gloag family's dedication to blending and the rich history of whisky in Scotland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e70cl\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Famous Grouse","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53117092168018,"sku":"FG1984ROYALMINI","price":14.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/FamousGrouseRoyalWarrantofAppointmentkwampasin1984MatthewGloag_SonsBlendedScotchWhisky_1984_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775239038"},{"product_id":"glen-keith-100-pipers-imported-blended-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Glen Keith 100 Pipers Imported Blended Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003cp\u003eGlen Keith 100 Pipers Imported Blended Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare miniature of 1980s Glen Keith based blended scotch whisky. Predominantly popular in Asian markets. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 100 Pipers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA core standard blend in the Chivas Brother’s portfolio, especially popular in Asia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘When a Scotsman tastes a fine, fine Scotch – the liquid of legend, smooth and gentle – he is said to hear the skirl of 100 pipers,’ declared a 1968 ad’, before admitting that for some it’s ‘lutes and harps… rock-and-roll… and even the wedding march from Lohengrin’. Well, they don’t make copywriters like that anymore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100 Pipers takes its name from the ballad of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Hundred Pipers\u003c\/em\u003e, which tells the story of the troop of pipers said to have led Bonnie Prince Charlie into battle during the 1745 Jacobite uprising.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder Pernod Ricard, 100 Pipers sells over 1.7 million cases and is particularly strong in Thailand and India where it is locally bottled and now comes with a 12-year-old deluxe variant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100 Pipers is a light, vanilla-scented blend with notes of dried fruit, soft smoke and spice. Today the blend is centred around the light Speyside malt whisky from Allt-a-Bhainne distillery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend was created by Jimmy Lang and Chivas Brothers master blender, Alan Baillie in 1965, and first launched in the US. Four years later the name ‘Seagram’s’ was added to the label (and remains to this day), and the Scottish flag removed. A 12-year-old extension was added in 1986, followed by a 20-year-old in 1988, by which point 100 Pipers was selling 800,000 cases globally, of which 270,000 were in the UK. It was claimed to be the fourth best-selling Scotch in Scotland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1992 100 Pipers became the first Seagram-owned Scotch whisky in Korea and was launched in Thailand a year later. Back in the UK it was evolving into ‘The Black Watch’ blend. With sales in Thailand reaching 2.7m cases, the brand peaked at 3.4m cases in 2005, becoming the 5th biggest standard Scotch globally. That year a 100 Pipers 8-year-old blended malt was launched in Thailand. All this time the brand’s spiritual home was Allt-a-Bhainne, the Speyside distillery built by Seagram in 1975. It is also locally bottled in India where sales of 100 Pipers reached 300,000 cases in 2011.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Glen Keith","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53117116580178,"sku":"GLKTH100PIPER80MINI","price":19.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/GlenKeith100PipersImportedBlendedScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775239660"},{"product_id":"aberlour-10-year-old-townhouse-label-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1980s-5cl-miniature","title":"Aberlour 10 Year Old Townhouse Label Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAberlour 10 Year Old Townhouse Label Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1980s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn Aberlour miniature from the 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bottle shows the Aberlour townhouse. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Aberlour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA medium-weight single malt, Aberlour’s character balances malt, fruit and a distinctive blackcurrant note. It is a whisky which gains in weight and toffee-like sweetness as it matures and has sufficient depth to be able to cope with Sherry cask maturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe range is large, with many different variations on ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon cask matured whiskies – some mixed, some 100%, others finished. Its greatest cult following is for the small batch, 100% Sherry-matured, cask-strength variant A’Bunadh which has run since 2000. Aberlour was also one of the first distilleries to offer a ‘bottle your own’ whisky to visitors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first distillery in the village of Aberlour was established in 1825 and ran until 1833, when the co-lessees James and John Grant left to build their own distillery, Glen Grant, in Rothes. The current distillery was the brainchild of James Fleming who built it in 1879 using water from St. Drostan’s Well, named after an early Columban monk, which is situated on the site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eLike many Victorian distilleries, it burnt down and, in 1898, had to be rebuilt. During World War II when the distillery was on short-term working, locals used to smuggle wash up the Aberlour burn and distil illicitly under the Linn Falls.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe distillery became part of Campbell Distillers in 1945, passing into the Pernod Ricard stable in 1974, the year after it had been expanded from two to four stills and wholly modernised internally. Its ownership has long given it a strong following in France. It is now part of Pernod’s whisky division, Chivas Brothers.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aberlour","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53117203186002,"sku":"ABL101980MINI","price":13.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Aberlour10YearOldTownhouseLabelSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1980s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775240825"},{"product_id":"tamdhu-10-year-old-70-proof-tamdhu-glenlivet-limited-era-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Tamdhu 10 Year Old 70 Proof Tamdhu-Glenlivet Limited Era Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eTamdhu 10 Year Old 70 Proof Tamdhu-Glenlivet Limited Era Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1970s miniature of Tamdhu 10 single malt back when the Glenlivet appendix was still on distillery names. On the old 70 Proof this is more towards 43% alcohol when tested. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Tamdhu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA major player in blends such as The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark, Tamdhu was also the spiritual home of the lesser seen (but high quality) Dunhill blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough a few official single malt bottlings appeared, including a light-bodied 10-year-old, Tamdhu could hardly be regarded as a frontline player. It has a fragrant fruitiness with notes of honey and apple but sufficient weight to cope with ageing in ex-Sherry casks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike neighbouring Knockando, this is another late 19th century railway distillery which has quietly provided fillings for blends ever since. It was built in 1897 by a group of blenders headed by William Grant who was both a director of Highland Distillers and, handily enough, on the board of the Elgin bank. The famous distillery designer Charles Doig was the architect. ‘[It is] perhaps the most efficient and designed distillery of its era,’ wrote Alfred Barnard in 1898.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHighland Distillers (now Edrington) purchased it outright in 1899, but like many sites it had a rocky time, closing from 1927 and remaining silent for two decades. Soon after its reopening, the old floor maltings were replaced with 10 Saladin boxes, each capable of holding 22 tons of malt. This would become the last site in Scotland to retain this method of malting and was one of the few distilleries in the modern era to malt all of its own requirements (the others being Springbank, Glen Ord and more recently, Roseisle). As well as its own needs, it supplied all of the malt for Glenrothes and the unpeated component of Highland Park’s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTamdhu grew substantially in the 1970s with four stills added to the original pair, while a change in wood policy in the 1990s saw it being filled exclusively into Edrington’s bespoke ex-Sherry casks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eSomewhat surprisingly, Edrington mothballed it in 2010, but two years later, Ian MacLeod stepped in. The firm has since installed new washbacks, built new warehouses, opened a visitors' centre (in the old Dalbeallie station) and released a 100% Sherried 10-year-old. Older releases are planned.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tamdhu","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53118664606034,"sku":"TAM10TG1970MINI","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Tamdhu10YearOld70ProofTamdhu-GlenlivetLimitedEraSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775254768"},{"product_id":"singleton-of-duftown-12-year-old-european-and-american-oak-matured-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1990s-5cl-miniature","title":"Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old European and American Oak Matured Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSingleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old European and American Oak Matured Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1990s miniature of Dufftown which forms part of the brand of Singleton. Various distilleries fall within the Diageo distillery network of what Singleton is. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Singleton\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"the-singleton\" class=\"configurable-text position-relative  mb-md-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"container-fluid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-12 offset-lg-2 col-lg-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"configurable-text__inner p-md-4 position-relative theme-amber\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"config-text text-\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"config-text__main-wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"config-text__into-text intro animate animate--fade-in-top\" data-animate=\"\" data-animation=\"fade-in-top\" data-animation-delay=\"150\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Singleton, an award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky, emerges from three Highland distilleries: Glen Ord, Glendullan, and Dufftown. Celebrated for its exceptionally smooth texture and profound flavours, it is a testament to the care given at each stage of its creation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"config-text__content-wrapper\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Singleton embodies patience and precision, fermenting for 75 hours to allow for deeper and richer flavours. Its signature smooth texture comes from an equally slow, gentle distillation process and careful maturation in American and European oak casks. Taking things slowly results in a perfectly balanced whisky, spicy at first, then soft and sweet, with notes of citrus, vanilla and silky honey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"config-text__content-wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"config-text__content-wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Isle Peninsula, home to The Singleton’s Glen Ord Distillery, gets its name from its rich, fertile soil. The land has been in the possession of the MacKenzie family for nearly 700 years and Thomas MacKenzie chose the site for his whisky distillery in 1838.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Glen Ord hosts a state-of-the-art distillery visitor experience, just moments from the breath-taking north Coast 500. Here, visitors from all over the world can discover the art of The Singleton, and meet the people behind the craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter MacKenzie founded the Dufftown Distillery in 1896 at the height of the Scottish whisky boom. Unfortunately, his beginner’s luck quickly ran out. Three years later, the Scottish whisky market collapsed, and MacKenzie and his sons were forced to turn their efforts to supplying the now dry American market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLuckily, their renown for distilling great quality Scotch whisky allowed them to thrive throughout America’s Prohibition era. This helped the Dufftown Distillery join an exclusive club of only 15 out of 159 Scottish distilleries still in operation when the Prohibition Act was repealed in 1933.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery is of course named after the famous town of Dufftown, which sits at the heart of the Speyside region – the most famous Scotch region in the world – characterised by its rich soil and rivers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the late 19th century, several distilleries were competing for scarce water sources. Legend has it that the stream from an artesian spring called Jock’s Well, situated high in the Conval Hills, was on multiple occasions diverted by rival distillery managers in the middle of the night to service their productions. Today, Dufftown Distillery still draws water from that same source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDufftown Distillery continues to produce one of the smoothest, more approachable whiskies in Scotland. This is achieved with a slow distillation process and by maturing the whiskies in a secret blend of European oak ex Sherry casks and American oak ex Bourbon casks. Malts Master, Craig Wilson, with a PhD in brewing and years of blending experience, curates the perfect combination of casks for a smooth, nutty and sweet liquid that has won awards across the world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"celebrating-slow-craft\" class=\"text-image pt-lg-2 pb-lg-2 theme-amber position-relative mb-0 animate animate--fade-in\" data-animate=\"\" data-animation=\"fade-in\"\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Singleton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53118723653970,"sku":"SING121990MINI","price":14.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/SingletonofDuftown12YearOldEuropeanandAmericanOakMaturedSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1990s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775257792"},{"product_id":"balvenie-10-year-old-founders-reserve-speyside-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1990s-5cl-miniature","title":"Balvenie 10 Year Old Founder's Reserve Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBalvenie 10 Year Old Founder's Reserve Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1990s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn auld miniature of a Balvenie Founder's Reserve before barcodes and iPhones etc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Balvenie Founders Reserve is a classic whisky created by Balvenie's Malt Master, David Stewart. It is a 10-year-old single malt that has been matured in both Bourbon and sherry casks, resulting in a rich and balanced flavour profile. This whisky was a key member of the Balvenie range from the early 1980s until it was retired a few years ago. It is known for its fruity notes complemented by darker, earthier, sweet, and spicy undertones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Balvenie \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eBalvenie distillery shares the same (massive) site with Glenfiddich and Kininvie but makes its whisky in a very different manner to its two sisters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts floor maltings have been retained and although this only makes up a small percentage (up to 15%) of the total mash, it is believed that it helps contribute character to the new make – the small amount of peat which is burned might help. Given that Balvenie has only opened to visitors in recent times, it certainly wasn’t kept for cosmetic or touristic reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a large distillery with nine, fat, short-necked stills producing a new make character which is notably sweet and honeyed – completely different to both Glenfiddich and Kininvie. Interestingly, when William Grant built its Ailsa Bay malt distillery in Girvan, the still shape replicated that of Balvenie, but the new make is different again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was one of the first distilleries to introduce a ‘finished’ single malt with the launch in 1993 of Double Wood, which was first aged in ex-Bourbon casks before being given a short period of secondary maturation (aka finishing) in ex-Sherry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis utilisation of different wood types runs through the Balvenie range with a new 17-year-old Double Wood recently joining Caribbean Cask (ex-rum) 14 year old, and the 21-year-old Port Wood as part of the core range. As well as single barrel releases and older age variants up to 50 years in the range, a cult small batch, Tun 1401, has also recently appeared, followed by Tun 1509.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalvenie was built on a 12 acre site adjacent to Glenfiddich in 1892\/3. Originally known as Glen Gordon it took the name of the huge (ruined) castle which was located next door. The ‘new’ castle, already derelict in 1893, was turned into maltings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distillery provided fillings, primarily for the Grant’s Standfast blend, until 1973 when the first official bottling was made. Its continued requirements as a contributor to blends initially restricted its growth as a stand-alone brand (although increasing its cult status). This was eased slightly with the opening of Kininvie in 1990, but it was only with the building of Ailsa Bay that greater stocks were finally made available. It is now one of the fastest-growing single malt brands in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Balvenie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53121455030610,"sku":"BAL10FR90SMINI","price":23.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Balvenie10YearOldFounder_sReserveSpeysideSingleMaltScotchWhisky_1990s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775304390"},{"product_id":"johnnie-walker-red-label-highest-awards-70-proof-blended-scotch-whisky-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Johnnie Walker Red Label Highest Awards 70 Proof Blended Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJohnnie Walker Red Label Highest Awards 70 Proof Blended Scotch Whisky (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 1970s miniature of the classic blended whisky, Johnnie Walker Red Label. A great addition to those who are collecting Johnnie Walker or simply curious to see what 1960s and 1970s whisky tasted like without being steam distilled but rather, direct fire for the most part. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Johnnie Walker\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp itemprop=\"description\" class=\"introduction\"\u003eThe biggest, and most iconic, blended Scotch whisky is recognisable the world over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohnnie Walker is one of the most instantly recognisable whisky names in the world, and the brand is the global best-selling Scotch, retailing close to 20m cases per annum, and being declared the most valuable premium spirit brand on the planet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many years Johnnie Walker offered Red Label and 12-year-old Black Label variants, but more recently the portfolio has been significantly expanded, and now also boasts Double Black (richer and smokier than Black Label), Gold Label Reserve, the 18-year-old Platinum Label and Blue Label. Blended malt Green Label has been reintroduced, and a succession of experimental releases under the Blender’s Batch has been seen in recent years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohnnie Walker Blue Label is the rarest and most expensive expression in the range, and a number of variants have been produced, including a King George V edition and Blue Label 2015 Limited Edition Design. Closed distilleries have been explored via Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost \u0026amp; Rare releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohnnie Walker also has ‘Houses’ in a number of key Asian cities, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Mumbai, Seoul and Taipei, described as ‘multi-sensory embassies for luxury blended Scotch whisky’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaken at face value, the much-used advertising strapline ‘Born 1820 – still going strong’ implies that the whisky originates from that date, but it was actually a year earlier that 14-year-old John Walker made his first steps towards building an iconic whisky brand when he sold the family farm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWalker opened his first grocery business in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, with the proceeds and eventually began to sell and make whisky, but it wasn't until 10 years after his death in 1857 that his son Alexander introduced the company’s Walker’s Old Highland Blend, the whisky that was the forerunner of Red Label and Black Label, created in 1909.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy that time, the unusual square bottle, introduced by Alexander Walker in the 1860s, and its slanting label were already familiar to consumers, and in 1908 cartoonist Tom Browne drew the ‘striding man’ figure which through various incarnations has remained a key element of the brand’s imagery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Walker \u0026amp; Sons acquired Cardhu distillery on Speyside in 1893, and the firm became part of the Distillers Company (DCL) in 1925, with DCL being acquired by Guinness during 1986. Guinness subsequently merged with Grand Metropolitan to form Diageo in 1997.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the mid-1950s Johnnie Walker took its place as the world’s best-selling whisky, a position it has occupied ever since thanks in part to major investments in marketing. These have included the £100m ‘Keep Walking’ campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Label was added to the Johnnie Walker line-up in 1992, with Blue Label King George V introduced in 2008. Double Black was released in 2011, followed a year later by the Gold Label Reserve and Platinum Label variants. Having been absent from UK outlets since 1977, Red Label made a return to its home market in 1983, and was relaunched in 2013.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohnnie Walker had retained a link to its ‘home’ town by being bottled in Kilmarnock, but Walker’s bottling plant there closed in 2012, with production switched to Diageo’s bottling facilities at Leven in Fife and Shieldhall in Glasgow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn September 2015 Diageo unveiled Johnnie Walker's biggest global marketing campaign to-date. Named 'Joy Will Take You Further', the campaign is based on months of commissioned research into consumer behaviour and builds upon the brand's long-running 'Keep Walking' message.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn early 2016, Johnnie Walker Green Label – a blended malt aged for 15 years – was reintroduced four years after being axed from the range everywhere except Taiwan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecent years have seen a spate of new releases under the Walker name, including White Walker in association with TV show\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/em\u003e, a series of ‘experimental’ Blender’s Batch launches, and an exploration of closed distilleries under the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost \u0026amp; Rare banner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2018, Diageo revealed plans to spend £150m on upgrading tourism facilities, including a new brand home for Johnnie Walker in Edinburgh, and improved visitor centres at Clynelish, plus Glenkinchie, Cardhu and Caol Ila, representing regional styles present in Walker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three-storey Johnnie Walker Experience, located in the former House of Fraser department store on Princes Street, will include facilities exploring Walker’s history, a rooftop bar, an events space for cultural activities and a hospitality academy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Johnnie Walker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53121502150994,"sku":"JWREDLABEL1970MINI","price":19.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/JohnnieWalkerRedLabelBlendedScotchWhisky_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775304874"},{"product_id":"glayva-70-proof-scotch-liqueur-1970s-5cl-miniature","title":"Glayva 70 Proof Scotch Liqueur (1970s) 5cl Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGlayva 70 Proof Scotch Liqueur (1970s) 5cl Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old miniature of a well loved Scottish whisky Liqueur\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlayva Liqueur is a Scottish liqueur made from a blend of aged Scotch whisky, heather honey, spices, and Mediterranean tangerines. It was first produced in 1947 in Leith, Edinburgh, and is known for its smooth and warming taste with a hint of sweetness. The name \"Glayva\" is derived from the Gaelic phrase \"Glè Mhath,\" meaning \"very good\". This liqueur is often enjoyed on its own or used in cocktails, making it a versatile choice for various occasions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5cl \/ 50ml \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Situation","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53121845231954,"sku":"GLAYVAWL1970MINI","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/Glayva70ProofScotchLiqueur_1970s_5clMiniature.jpg?v=1775310467"},{"product_id":"tomatin-big-t-70-proof-blended-scotch-whisky-1970s-47ml-1-2-3-fl-oz-miniature","title":"Tomatin Big T 70 Proof Blended Scotch Whisky (1970s) 47ml 1 2\/3 Fl Oz Miniature","description":"\u003ch2\u003eTomatin Big T 70 Proof Blended Scotch Whisky (1970s) 47ml 1 2\/3 Fl Oz Miniature\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old miniature from Tomatin Distillery in the form of Big T Blended Whisky. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA great budget whisky, from Tomatin Distillery, crafted using some of Scotland's finest malt and grain whiskies. These whiskies have been matured at the Tomatin Distillery in specially selected oak casks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Tomatin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"banner-content-inner\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eBig T was f\u003cspan\u003eirst produced in 1897 by a group of Inverness businessmen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"introduction\"\u003eAlways an intense, high-toned and fruity spirit (its oldest expressions move into the realms of tropical fruits).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pagenav js-fixed\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"company-profile__item company-profile__profile\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is Tomatin’s much improved wood policy which has brought it to the notice of single malt lovers. A higher percentage of first-fill casks – ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry – has given more flesh and structure to the always top-notch spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the first manifestation of Tomatin only ran between 1897 and 1906, its reopening under new management in 1909 saw the start of a remarkable journey which would culminate in this remote Highland outpost in between Aviemore and Inverness becoming the largest malt whisky distillery in Scotland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts expansion (and contraction) mirrors accurately the mood of the industry: from two stills to four in 1956, four to six in ‘58, an upping to 11 in ’61 and then in 1974 the most dramatic expansion of all, with 12 stills being installed, bringing the total to 23 and overall capacity to 10m litres per annum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt couldn’t last. Even in 1974 the first indications of a downturn in Scotch’s fortunes were being noticed. Tomatin never ran at full capacity and in 1986 went into liquidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe site was saved however by two of its Japanese bulk customers, Takara Shuzo and Okura \u0026amp; Co [Okura’s stake was taken by Marubeni in 1998], making it the first Scotch distillery to be under Japanese control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere has been a slow but steady recalibration ever since. The company bought blending firm J\u0026amp;W Hardie in 1997, adding the prestigious Antiquary blend to its portfolio. Eleven of the stills were taken out of commission in 2000 and today only 2m litres are produced from six wash and four spirit stills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other major change has been a shift in emphasis from bulk supply to single malt (as well as Antiquary) – again Tomatin is mirroring the market's continuing evolution. The single malt range has been widened in terms of age statements and introduced a peated variant, Cu Bocan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e47ml - 1 2\/3 fl.oz \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tomatin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53121857192274,"sku":"TOMABIGTBSW1970MINI","price":17.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/TomatinBigT70ProofBlendedScotchWhisky_1970s_47ml12-3FlOzMiniature.jpg?v=1775310913"}],"url":"https:\/\/whiskysituation.co.uk\/collections\/minitures.oembed?page=6","provider":"Whisky Situation","version":"1.0","type":"link"}