Glenkinchie 24 years 1987 Cadenhead's Bourbon Hogshead - One of 156 - bottled 2012 Authentic Collection (Brown)

Scotland, Lowlands. Distillery operational. Owner: Diageo

Glenkinchie was originally founded as Milton Distillery in 1825, before later changing its name to Glenkinchie in 1837. It is one of the rare Lowland distilleries still in operation as the region, which was once prosperous and favoured for whisky production, fell out of favour in the 18th century due to an unfavourable taxation system and low-quality spirit. Welcomed into the Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd in the early 1920s, Glenkinchie has seldom been closed and has become an essential malt for numerous blends, including Dewars, Dimple and Haig. Bottlings in its own names are rare, however, and its reputation has been built primarily through the Six Classic Malts range.

A Glenkinchie single cask distilled in 1987, matured in a bourbon cask and bottled in 2012 for the Authentic Collection. Cadenhead's was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead then joined the company and, when George Duncan died in 1858, took over and renamed the business after himself. William’’s nephew Roberth Duthie developed the company in the early 20th century and it remained a family business until 1969. William Cadenhead Ltd was then sold to the Springbank distillery’’s owner J. & A. Mitchell and Co. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendent of Archibald and John Mitchell, became William Cadenhead Ltd’’s CEO. In the past, Cadenhead had mainly sold its own brands, such as Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, the company began to take more of an interest in single malts. This led to the creation of the legendary collection of dumpy bottles in 1977. This series of single malts stood out for its very gentle filtration, lack of artificial colouring, and relatively high bottling strength for the time (80 proof/45.7% ABV). The labels included lots of information, including the month and year of distillation and bottling, and whether or not sherry casks were used. Also in 1977, the business moved to another address in Aberdeen, and finally to Campbeltown. In the 1980s, Cadenhead sold casks to legendary bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through the subsidiary Duthie’’s. Finally, two new whisky ranges were created in 1991 and 1992, the Original Collection bottled at 46% and the Authentic Collection bottled at cask strength. Other special series to mark Cadenhead’’s major anniversaries (150 and 175 years), as well as new ranges launched since (Small Batch, World Whiskies, etc.), have all contributed to the company’’s ongoing history up to the present day. A limited edition of 156 bottles.