Glen Elgin 33 years 1978 Cadenhead's Bourbon Hogshead - One of 186 - bottled 2011 Chairman's Stock (Brown)

The Glen Elgin distillery is located in Fogwatt, Speyside. Built in 1898 by bankers William Simpson and James Carle, it began production in 1900, in the wake of the Pattison Crisis. It closed twice before being sold in 1906 to JJ Blanche & Co, a wine producer. Via the subsidiary Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD), it joined the Distillers Company Limited (DCL) portfolio, who gave the license to White Horse. Unsurprisingly, Glen Elgin played a key role in the eponymous blend. Rare official versions do exist, such as a 12 year old from the 1980s, another released in 2001 for the Flora and Fauna range, and The Manager’‘s Dram 16 Years, but overall Glen Elgin remains the privilege of blends and independent bottlers.

A Glen Elgin single cask distilled in 1978, matured in a bourbon cask and bottled in 2011 for the Chairman’’s Stock range. 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 186 bottles.