Bladnoch distillery is located in the South West of Scotland, next to the picturesque town of Wigtown (Scotland’s Book Town). There are very few Lowland distilleries still in production and, in fact, Bladnoch has been “mothballed” (out of production) since 2007. Once a Diageo distillery, it was put up for sale by its private owners, and is rumored to have been bought by an Indian property company. Whisky aficionados world-wide, and local residents, hope that it will once again return to its glory days, but in the meantime we have a very rare single cask from the 1990’s.
Founded in 1823 in the heart of the Speyside region, Mortlach is located in the famous whisky town of Dufftown. It has been owned since 1923 by what is now Diageo (originally part of the Johnnie Walker empire). In fact, most of the make is still kept for the Johnnie Walker brands, especially Black Label. It operates an unusual 2 ½ distillation method and the make is typically heavy and oily, ideally suited to maturation in ex-Sherry casks.
Scotland’s most acclaimed bottler of rare single casks and limited edition single malt whisky. We exist to identify the very small number of casks that have produced the ultimate whiskies. The criteria for selection include rarity and maturity, but above all flavor. Adelphi whiskies are both rare and sought-after –these very special casks are so rare that, on average, Adelphi accepts a mere 4% that it is offered. Each single cask of whisky matures its contents very differently, imparting its own character to the whisky it holds and, as a result, there are never two Adelphi’s quite the same.
Excellent beading suggests good mouth texture, typical of well-aged whisky from this distillery. A little nose prickle to start, faintly mineralic, flinty and waxy possibly waxy sweet cakes, frosted icing and ripe banana skins (again typical of the make). After a while, a fruity note appears, lychees or mangosteen, and Turkish Delight. Finally, the maritime notes appear with clam shells on a beach. Candle wax increases in the taste, both oily and sweet, with herbs, honey roast ham (quite meaty) and melting icing sugar, orange a cinnamon. With water, it becomes more peppery—fine white pepper. Smooth with a big texture, mouth-filling, teeth coating –everything you’d expect from Clynelish.
Founded in 1878 in the town of Rothes, near to Glen Grant Distillery in the Speyside region. Since 1887 it has been part of Highland Distilleries, also part of the Edrington Group (owners of Macallanand Glenturret). Despite the original distillery being destroyed by fire in 1922, the current operation produces a healthy 5.6 million litres of alcohol per year.
Officially established in 1775 just outside Crieff in Perthshire, although illicit, or illegal, distilling was known to have been on the same site since the early 1700’s, Glenturret Distillery is another one with the claim of being the oldest in Scotland. Owned by the Edrington Group, along with the likes of Macallan and Highland Park, it is seldom seen as a Single Malt, which makes this bottling all the more rare.
Founded in 1897 in the city of Elgin, to the north of the Speyside region, Glen Moray has mainly been under the ownership of Macdonald and Muir, latterly LVMH, who also own Glenmorangie Distillery. LVMH then sold the distillery to French spirits giant La Martiniquaise in 2008.
Founded in 1893, Longmorn is situated just to the south of the city of Elgin in Morayshire. It is one of the few distilleries to have been classified as Top Class, and is much sought after by blenders. Currently owned by Pernod Ricard, what is produced is generally used in many of the Chivas blends.