The Perfect Collection Part Two

Killyloch 1967

A very rare bottling of whisky from Killyloch. The distillery existed within the long lost Moffat distilling complex, which was constructed by Inver House Distillers between 1964 and 1965. Inver House was a subsidiary of US drinks giant, Publiker, and the Moffat complex was designed to provide both malt and grain for their blending operations. The primary malt was Glen Flagler, an unpeated spirit, although a separate set of stills were used to produce peated and heavily peated single malts, called Killyloch and Islebrae, respectively. These stills were set aside in their own distillery within the complex, which took its named from the lesser-peated, Killyloch (around 3ppm, according to Malt Maniacs). The stills at Killyloch were switched off in the 1970s, with Glen Flagler and the Garnheath grain distillery following suit in 1985 and 1986, leaving the whole complex in silence.

This 36 year old official release from Inver House is a vatting of the six of the last remaining casks that  the former proprietors of the distillery had left in their care. 

One of 371 bottles.

Killyloch 1972 Signatory Vintage 22 Year Old

A very rare bottling of whisky from Killyloch.  The distillery existed within the long lost Moffat distilling complex, which was constructed by Inverhouse Distillers between 1964 and 1965. Inverhouse was a subsidiary of US drinks giant, Publiker, and the Moffat complex was designed to provide both malt and grain for their blending operations. The primary malt was Glen Flagler, an unpeated spirit, although a seperate set of stills were used to produce peated and heavily peated single malts, called Killyloch and Islebrae, respectively. These stills were set aside in their own distillery within the complex, which took its named from the lesser-peated, Killyloch (around 3ppm, according to Malt Maniacs). The stills at Killyloch were switched off in the 1970s, with Glen Flagler and the Garnheath grain distillery following suit in 1985 and 1986, leaving the whole complex in silence. 

This 22 year old independent release from Signatory Vintage was distilled on the 21st March 1972 and bottled in June 1994 from single sherry cask # 206413.

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

Bottle number 213 of 230.

Killyloch 1972 Signatory Vintage 22 Year Old

A very rare bottling of whisky from Killyloch.  The distillery existed within the long lost Moffat distilling complex, which was constructed by Inverhouse Distillers between 1964 and 1965. Inverhouse was a subsidiary of US drinks giant, Publiker, and the Moffat complex was designed to provide both malt and grain for their blending operations. The primary malt was Glen Flagler, an unpeated spirit, although a seperate set of stills were used to produce peated and heavily peated single malts, called Killyloch and Islebrae, respectively. These stills were set aside in their own distillery within the complex, which took its named from the lesser-peated, Killyloch (around 3ppm, according to Malt Maniacs). The stills at Killyloch were switched off in the 1970s, with Glen Flagler and the Garnheath grain distillery following suit in 1985 and 1986, leaving the whole complex in silence. 

This 22 year old independent release from Signatory Vintage was distilled on the 21st March 1972 and bottled in June 1994 from single sherry cask # 206413.

Signatory Vintage were established in 1988 by Andrew Symington and are one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers. Their offices and bottling facility are located next to Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002.

Bottle number 128 of 230.

Kinclaith 1965 Cadenhead's 20 Year Old Sherry Wood

Wm. Cadenhead are Scotland's oldest independent bottler, operating for over 175 years, but perhaps none of their bottlings are as sought after as these 'dumpy' style bottles. These were produced with brown glass and an iconic black label (white for the occasional grain whisky), with each distillery given its own letterpress font in homage to William Cadenhead's early career in the printing business.

This is a 1965 vintage Kinclaith, bottled from sherry wood in March 1985.

Kinclaith is another of the short-lived malt distilleries that were built, mostly by American owners, within grain distilleries in the mid-20th century. On this occasion it was the Schenley company, who bought the parent firm of Strathclyde distillery, Seager Evans, in 1957. It built the Kinclaith malt distillery within the Strathclyde complex the same year, and they operated it until 1975 when Whitbread bought Strathclyde and ripped them back out again. Nearly all of the Kinclaith output was used for the Long John blends, and it was never officially bottled as a single malt. Some casks did make their way to the independent companies though, and an elusive batch of bottlings like this has been brought to market.

Knappogue Castle 1951 / US Import

A single malt Irish whiskey produced at the long-lost B. Daly distillery, former home of Tullamore Dew before it's 1960's transfer to Powers at John's Lane. The distillery closed 3 years later and this whiskey stock was discovered in the basement of Knappogue Castle by it's new owner, Mark Edwin Andrews.

Distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1987 under the castle's name.

Imported into the US by Great Spirits Company, Manhasset, NY.

Knappogue Castle 1951 Single Cask 36 Year Old #9 / US Import

A single malt Irish whiskey produced at the long-lost B. Daly distillery, former home of Tullamore Dew before it's 1960's transfer to Powers at John's Lane. The distillery closed 3 years later and this whiskey stock was discovered in the basement of Knappogue Castle by its new owner, Mark Edwin Andrews.

Distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1987 under the castle's name.

A single pot still, this was bottled at 36 years old from cask #9

Imported into the US by Castle Brands, NY.

Knappogue Castle 1951 Single Cask 36 Year Old #9 / US Import

A single malt Irish whiskey produced at the long-lost B. Daly distillery, former home of Tullamore Dew before it's 1960's transfer to Powers at John's Lane. The distillery closed 3 years later and this whiskey stock was discovered in the basement of Knappogue Castle by its new owner, Mark Edwin Andrews.

Distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1987 under the castle's name.

A single pot still, this was bottled at 36 years old from cask #9

Imported into the US by Castle Brands, NY.

Kinclaith 1967 Gordon and MacPhail

Kinclaith is another of the short-lived malt distilleries that were built, mostly by American owners, within grain distilleries in the mid-20th century. On this occasion it was the Schenley company, who bought the parent firm of Strathclyde distillery, Seager Evans, in 1957. It built the Kinclaith malt distillery within the Strathclyde complex the same year, and they operated it until 1975 when Whitbread bought Strathclyde and ripped them back out again. Nearly all of the Kinclaith output was used for the Long John blends, and it was never officially bottled as a single malt. Some casks did make their way to the independent companies though, and an elusive batch of bottlings like this has been brought to market.

This 1967 vintage was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in the 1980s.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market. It was initially created for renowned Italian importer, Edoardo Giaccone in the early 1970s, but became a mainstay of the core Gordon & MacPhail portfolio in 1979.

Knockdhu 21 Year Old Cask Strength

Knockdhu could be considered by many to be the genesis of what is now the whisky giant, Diageo. Then known as DCL, a consortium of Lowland grain distillers, they built Knockdhu distillery in their first foray into malt whisky distilling in 1893. They operated the distillery until 1983 when, like much of their portfolio, they closed it down due to an oversupply resulting from the Scotch market downturn of the period. The distillery was bought and re-opened by Inver House in 1988, who quickly turned out the first official single malt bottlings. The product was swiftly rebranded as AnCnoc in 1993 however, purportedly to avoid confusion with the similarly named Knockando.

This 1999 distillery bottling is a a cask strength 21 year old. This is particulalrly rare in that it bears the traditional distillery name on the label.

Knappogue Castle 15 Year Old Very Limited Edition 75cl / US Import

A very limited edition of this single malt Irish whiskey produced at Cooley distillery. Produced by vatting together single malt from three different vintages: 1990, 1991 and 1992. Each bottle was hand signed and numbered by Mark Andrews This is bottle number 467 of 600. 

Cooley distillery was opened in 1987 after it was converted from a pototo alcohol plant by John Teeling. It now operates two pot and three column stills, generally double distilling as opposed the more familiar triple distillation that most Irish producers favour. It was bought by Beam Inc. in 2011, with its former owners now operating the Teeling distillery in Dublin. Cooley's core range includes the Kilbeggan blends and a peated and unpeated single malt, called Connemara and Tyrconnell, respectively. In addition to this, they have a massive contract distilling operation, providing whisky to a number of independent labels like this.

Imported by Castle Brands, NY.

Knockando 1973 Single Cask 21 Year Old #569 75cl / US Import

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, but very little has ever been spared for the independent bottlers. 

This is a rare single cask release, bottled for the US market. Cask #569 was distilled in 1973 and bottled in 1996.

Knockando 1965 Extra Old Reserve / US Import

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, but very little has ever been spared for the independent bottlers. 

This premium distillery bottling was distilled in 1965 and bottled in 1990. The label also has a 21 year age statement however, which is likely erroneous.

Imported to the US market by The Paddington Corp, NJ.

Knockando 1964 Extra Old Reserve

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, but very little has ever been spared for the independent bottlers.

This is an 1964 vintage of the old Extra Old Reserve release, bottled in 1988.

Knockando 1976 18 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, but very little has ever been spared for the independent bottlers.

Unusually for a core-range single malt, those from Knockando have traditionally always featured the vintage on the label. For a brief period this was instead referred to in Americanised terms as the distillation \"season.\" 

Knockando 1980 Cadenhead's 12 Year Old 75cl / 150th Anniversary

The Authentic Collection was launched by Wm. Cadenhead in 1991, and included whiskies from several rare closed Scottish and Irish distilleries, bottled for the company's 150th anniversary. It would later go on to become a mainstay of their portfolio, as the cask strength alternative to the Original Collection, which replaced their famous \"dumpy\" bottlings in the early 1990s. The Authentic Collection is now the flagship Cadenhead brand, and one of the most recognisable independent labels on the market.

This 12 year old Knockando is one of the original 150th anniversary releases.

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, with very little ever spared for the independent bottlers.

Knockando 1970 Extra Old Reserve 23 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, but very little has ever been spared for the independent bottlers. 

A rare expression of Knockando at 23 years old, distilled in 1970 and bottled in 1993.

Knockando 1970 Extra Old Reserve 23 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, but very little has ever been spared for the independent bottlers. 

This Extra Old Reserve release was distilled in 1970 and bottled for the US market in 1994.

Knockando 1986 Centenary Edition

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, but very little has ever been spared for the independent bottlers. 

This 1986 vintage was selected by then distillery manager, Innes Shaw, in 1998 to celerbrate the centenary of the opening of the distillery.

Knockdhu 1974 Scott's Selection

The Scott's Selection range was launched in the 1990s and was originally bottled from casks hand-selected by former Speyside distillery Master Distiller, Robert Scott. They are always filled un-chillfiltered and at a natural cask strength.

Knockdhu could be considered by many to be the genesis of what is now the whisky giant, Diageo. Then known as DCL, a consortium of Lowland grain distillers, they built Knockdhu distillery in their first foray into malt whisky distilling in 1893. They operated the distillery until 1983 when, like much of their portfolio, they closed it down due to an oversupply resulting from the Scotch market downturn of the period. The distillery was bought and re-opened by Inver House in 1988, who quickly turned out the first official single malt bottlings. The product was swiftly rebranded as AnCnoc in 1993 however, purportedly to avoid confusion with the similarly named Knockando. Independent releases like this are still labelled with the distillery name however. 

Knockando 1976 

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, with very little ever spared for the independent bottlers. 

This was distilled in 1979 and bottled in 1989.

Knockando 1979

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, with very little ever spared for the independent bottlers. 

This was distilled in 1979 bottled in 1994.

Knockando 1979 Extra Old

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, but very little has ever been spared for the independent bottlers.

This is a 1979 vintage bottling of the Extra Old release, bottled in 2000.

Knockando 1982 12 Year Old 75cl / US Import

Knockando is a late 19th century distillery, purchased by W & A Gilbery in 1904, alongside Strathmill and Glen Spey during its expansion into the whisky business. When Gilbey's became part of IDV in the 1960s, Knockando became the home of the Justerini & Brooks blends, and remains so to this day under the ownership of Diageo. Despite its importance to such a big-selling blended Scotch, Knockando has always been regarded as a fine single malt in its own right, and has a history of official distillery bottlings dating back to the 1970s, with very little ever spared for the independent bottlers. 

Knockando in its approach to bottling is core range, preferring to vintage-date rather than release age-statements. This is a 1982 vintage bottling of their standard 12 year old.

Knockdhu 1989 Cadenhead's 10 Year Old 75cl / US Import

The Authentic Collection was launched by Wm. Cadenhead in 1991, and included whiskies from several rare closed Scottish and Irish distilleries, bottled for the company's 150th anniversary. It would later go on to become a mainstay of their portfolio, as the cask strength alternative to the Original Collection, which replaced their famous \"dumpy\" bottlings in the early 1990s. The Authentic Collection is now the flagship Cadenhead brand, and one of the most recognisable independent labels on the market.

This is a 1989 vintage from Knockdhu distillery, bottled from a bourbon hogshead in January 2000.

Knockdhu could be considered by many to be the genesis of what is now the whisky giant, Diageo. Then known as DCL, a consortium of Lowland grain distillers, they built Knockdhu distillery in their first foray into malt whisky distilling in 1893. They operated the distillery until 1983 when, like much of their portfolio, they closed it down due to an oversupply resulting from the Scotch market downturn of the period. The distillery was bought and re-opened by Inver House in 1988, who quickly turned out the first official single malt bottlings. The product was swiftly rebranded as AnCnoc in 1993 however, purportedly to avoid confusion with the similarly named Knockando.

Independent bottlings of Knockdhu are almost are rare as the brief distillery bottlings.

Knockdhu 12 Year Old 1980s

Knockdhu could be considered by many to be the genesis of what is now the whisky giant, Diageo. Then known as DCL, a consortium of Lowland grain distillers, they built Knockdhu distillery in their first foray into malt whisky distilling in 1893. They operated the distillery until 1983 when, like much of their portfolio, they closed it down due to an oversupply resulting from the Scotch market downturn of the period. The distillery was bought and re-opened by Inver House in 1988, who quickly turned out the first official single malt bottlings. The product was swiftly rebranded as AnCnoc in 1993 however, purportedly to avoid confusion with the similarly named Knockando.

Kincaple 10 Year Old Lowland Single Malt

A mystery Lowland region single malt Scotch produced by Invergordon Distillers, likely from one of the distilleries in the Whyte & Mackay portfolio.

The brand is named after the historic Kincaple distillery, which operated for part of the 18th century.