Currency and Delivery Country

We're just loading our login box for you, hang on!

Closed Distilleries

Scotland's closed distilleries are almost always the most popular and highly sought after amongst whisky collectors and the cognoscenti. Their whisky has become legendary, and not just for its flavour, but for the fact it is incredibly rare and hard to find, though it was once very different...

Scotland was once home to hundreds of distilleries, and in the peak of the 19th century, there were over two hundred of them in operation! This number quickly started to dwindle, as distilleries started closing for various economic reasons.

US Prohibition killed off a number of distilleries whose main income came from export to America, and shortly after the UK was stricken by the economic depression of the 1920s and 1930s. After the Second World War around 70 distilleries closed down for good, though as the UK slowly started to build itself back up again the popularity and growth of whisky continued to increase up until the 1980s, when economic difficulties forced the industry to make cut backs. At that time, blended Scotch was the most popular style of whisky, whilst single malts only really become popular comparatively recently. The result of this was that when cut backs were made, it was done with blended whisky in mind. Smaller distilleries closed, as did those whose whisky didn’t make much of an impact when used as a blending component.

The whisky industry is back on the rise now, and increased interest in single malts has even brought about the reopening of several distilleries. With this in mind, the lost distilleries of the 20th century will always have a special place in our hearts, distilleries like ,> St Magdalene, the intensely smoky Brora , Dallas Dhu , and the epic Port Ellen, amongst many, many others...

Glenugie 1966 (bottled 1994) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

70cl, 40%
Glenugie

A delightfully obscure Scotch, perfect for collectors of whiskies from closed distilleries. This single malt was distilled in 1966 at the now-demolished Glenugie distillery, which closed its doors in…  More info

Glenugie 1966 (bottled 1994) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
$1,022.49

North Port-Brechin 1970 - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

75cl, 40%
North Port

A rare find, and sure to make a collector very happy. This single malt Scotch whisky was distilled at North Port (known as Brechin at one point) distillery in 1970. This Highlander was bottled by…  More info

North Port-Brechin 1970 - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
$613.09

Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)

70cl, 53.5%
Littlemill

Distilled in November 1988, this single malt from Littlemill was filled into a single refill hogshead, where it spent the next 26 years. In March 2015, the cask was opened by independent bottler…  More info

Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
$1,022.49

St Magdalene 1980 (bottled 1995) - Centenary Reserve (Gordon & MacPhail)

70cl, 40%
St. Magdalene

Distilled at the now closed St Magdalen distillery in 1980, this rare Lowland single malt was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 1995 for its Centenary Reserve series. This bottle was part of a…  More info

St Magdalene 1980 (bottled 1995) - Centenary Reserve (Gordon & MacPhail)
$920.15

Lochside 1981 (bottled 2000) - Rare Old (Gordon & Macphail)

70cl, 40%
Lochside

In 2000 Gordon & Macphail bottled up this Lochside single malt Scotch whisky that was distilled back in 1981, a fascinating opportunity to taste the delights of a lost distillery. This bottle was…  More info

Lochside 1981 (bottled 2000) - Rare Old (Gordon & Macphail)
$613.09

Dallas Dhu 20 Year Old 1977 (cask 1115) - First Cask

70cl, 46%
Dallas Dhu

From the closed Dallas Dhu distillery, this single malt was distilled in 1977, the very same year that Fleetwood Mac release Rumours. A good year for music and whisky, it seems! It matured in a…  More info

Dallas Dhu 20 Year Old 1977 (cask 1115) - First Cask
$510.73

Rosebank 8 Year Old 1989 - Authentic Collection (WM Cadenhead)

70cl, 46%
Rosebank

A splendid single cask bottling of Rosebank single malt, distilled in 1989 and matured for eight years. In 1997, the cask was opened by independent bottler WM Cadenhead, releasing the whisky in…  More info

Rosebank 8 Year Old 1989 - Authentic Collection (WM Cadenhead)
$613.09

Coleburn 17 Year Old 1965 - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

75cl, 40%
Coleburn

A rather rare offering here. Single malt from the now-closed Coleburn distillery, which was distilled all the way back in 1965 and matured for 17 years. It joined the Connoisseurs Choice series from…  More info

Coleburn 17 Year Old 1965 - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
$613.09

Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 - Eidolon 2nd Release (Hunter Laing)

70cl, 56.5%
Port Ellen

The Eidolon series from independent bottler Hunter Laing showcases some rare and exquisitely aged whisky from Port Ellen distillery, which sadly closed in 1983, but is set to reopen in 2023. This is…  More info

Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 - Eidolon 2nd Release (Hunter Laing)
$4,605.83

Imperial 19 Year Old 1995 (casks 50181 & 50182) - Un-Chillfiltered Collection (Signatory)

70cl, 46%
Imperial

A rare bottling from the now-closed Imperial distillery. This single malt was distilled in 1995 and matured for 19 years in hogsheads. It was bottled by Signatory Vintage in 2015 for its…  More info

Imperial 19 Year Old 1995 (casks 50181 & 50182) - Un-Chillfiltered Collection (Signatory)
$358.23

Dallas Dhu Centenary

70cl, 40%
Dallas Dhu

Though the Dallas Dhu distillery is departed, its rare whisky remains. This is a special edition bottling of Dallas Dhu single malt, released in 1999 to celebrate its centenary (despite being closed…  More info

Dallas Dhu Centenary
$715.44

Kinclaith 40 Year Old 1969 (cask 301445) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

70cl, 47.3%
Kinclaith

Single malt whisky from Kinclaith is extremely rare and highly sought after. Built to provide malt whisky for the Long John blend, the distillery was only in operation for 18 years, between 1957 an…  More info

Kinclaith 40 Year Old 1969 (cask 301445) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
2
$5,629.34

Littlemill 25 Year Old - Private Cellar Edition 2015

70cl, 50.4%
Littlemill

A rare bottling of Littlemill single malt Scotch whisky, released for their Private Cellar Edition series. Though the distillery in the Lowlands shut its doors for the last time in 1994 (and much of…  More info

Littlemill 25 Year Old - Private Cellar Edition 2015
$2,302.91

Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (2014 Special Release)

70cl, 55.3%
Rosebank

A Diageo Special Release of Rosebank single malt Scotch whisky, distilled in 1992, a year before the Lowlands distillery closed. Matured in refill American oak casks and bottled for the 2014 Special…  More info

Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (2014 Special Release)
5
$2,046.01

Littlemill 29 Year Old - Private Cellar Edition 2019

75cl, 47.3%
Littlemill

A rare chance to try whisky from the sadly closed Littlemill Distillery! This is the 2019 edition of the Private Cellar release, and the whisky itself was aged for 29 years before being bottled up at…  More info

Littlemill 29 Year Old - Private Cellar Edition 2019
$2,814.67

Caledonian 34 Year Old 1987 (cask 7823876) - Rare Auld (Duncan Taylor)

70cl, 52.7%
Caledonian

A marvellous 34 year old single grain from the Caledonian Distillery, independently released by Duncan Taylor for the Rare Auld series. Distilled in 1987, just one year before the distillery sadly…  More info

Caledonian 34 Year Old 1987 (cask 7823876) - Rare Auld (Duncan Taylor)
$460.58

Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary Release

75cl, 41.8%
Littlemill

To commemorate 250 years since its founding, Littlemill has bottled up this astonishing single malt, and at 45 years old, it's the distillery's oldest release to date. Littlemill's master blender…  More info

Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary Release

Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two

70cl, 48.1%
Rosebank

To the devastation of its loyal Lowland whisky fans, the Rosebank distillery was sadly closed in 1993. Big news though – after being acquired in 2017, the site is being rejuvenated and the Rosebank…  More info

Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two

Port Ellen 35 Year Old 1983 (Release No.11535) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)

70cl, 47.9%
Port Ellen

The Character of Islay Whisky Company's Wind & Wave independent bottling series is all about showing off the glorious whiskies from the eponymous island, and this one is particularly glorious indeed.…  More info

Port Ellen 35 Year Old 1983 (Release No.11535) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
$4,094.01

Glenury Royal 29 Year Old 1970 - Rare Malts

70cl, 57%
Glenury

A fantastic Rare Malts bottling of Glenury Royal single malt Scotch whisky, from the sadly closed and demolished Glenury distillery in Stonehaven. This release was distilled in 1970 and bottled at…  More info

Glenury Royal 29 Year Old 1970 - Rare Malts

Imperial 32 Year Old Director's Special (The Single Malts of Scotland)

70cl, 42.7%
Imperial

An exquisite addition to the Director's Special collection from independent bottler The Single Malts of Scotland. Distilled at the lost Imperial distillery, mothballed back in 2008, this single malt…  More info

Imperial 32 Year Old Director's Special (The Single Malts of Scotland)

Glen Albyn 29 Year Old 1981 (Cask 50) Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

70cl, 57.5%
Glen Albyn

Single cask from the now silent Glen Albyn distillery. This was distilled on the 16th January 1981, aged in hogshead number 50 for 29 years and bottled by Signatory at cask strength in 15th March…  More info

Glen Albyn 29 Year Old 1981 (Cask 50) Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Ayrshire 31 Year Old 1973 (cask 5786) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor)

70cl, 43.6%
Ladyburn

Released under the Ayrshire name, this is a super collectible single malt from the Ladyburn distillery, which closed in 1975. Distilled back in 1973, it rested in a single cask for the next three…  More info

Ayrshire 31 Year Old 1973 (cask 5786) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor)

Glen Albyn 18 Year Old 1963 - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

75cl, 40%
Glen Albyn

Lesser spotted Glen Albyn single malt here, distilled in 1963 and matured for 18 years. Glen Albyn sadly closed in the 1980s, which was a tumultuous time for the whisky industry. This whisky joins…  More info

Glen Albyn 18 Year Old 1963 - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Rosebank 21 Year Old 1990 (cask 7181) - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

70cl, 50%
Rosebank

Douglas Laing has bottled this delightful Rosebank whisky that was distilled in February 1990 for the Old Malt Cask range back in May 2011 after 21 years of maturation. There were only 309 bottles of…  More info

Rosebank 21 Year Old 1990 (cask 7181) - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Recently viewed