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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...

Port Ellen 1981 (bottled 2000) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

70cl, 40%
Port Ellen

To say bottlings of Port Ellen are sought after is just a bit of an understatement. While the distillery remains silent, and has done since 1983, releases like this rare Gordon & MacPahil…  More info

Port Ellen 1981 (bottled 2000) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Glen Mhor 22 Year Old 1979 - Rare Malts

70cl, 61%
Glen Mhor

A very rare whisky from the now silent distillery, Glen Mhor. This was distilled in 1979 and aged for 22 years before bottling in October 2001 for the Rare Malts range. This bottle was part of a…  More info

Glen Mhor 22 Year Old 1979 - Rare Malts

Port Ellen 35 Year Old 1983 (cask 13765) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

70cl, 54.3%
Port Ellen

A spectacular 35-year-old whisky from Port Ellen, joining Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular collection of rare whiskies. This single cask, single malt Scotch was distilled in 1983 and left to…  More info

Port Ellen 35 Year Old 1983 (cask 13765) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

Rosebank 1991 (bottled 2009) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

70cl, 43%
Rosebank

From the mighty Rosebank distillery, which sadly closed its doors in 1993, comes this spectacular single malt, independently bottled up by Gordon & MacPhail for its Connoisseurs Choice collection!…  More info

Rosebank 1991 (bottled 2009) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Imperial 1994 (Gordon & MacPhail)

70cl, 43%
Imperial

A vintage whisky from Gordon & MacPhail's Distillery Label range, this 2012 release was distilled in 1994 at Imperial, a now closed distillery, which in fact spent more of the last century closed…  More info

Imperial 1994 (Gordon & MacPhail)
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Pittyvaich 28 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

70cl, 52.1%
Pittyvaich

The Diageo Special Releases 2018 features a few surprises and treats, one of which is this single malt Scotch from Pittyvaich Distillery. Why is it so surprising? Well, the distillery was closed in…  More info

Pittyvaich 28 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
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Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna (with Wooden Box)

70cl, 43%
Rosebank

From the famous Flora and Fauna series comes a 12 year old single malt produced at the long-closed Rosebank Distillery (though it won't be long-closed for too much long - plans are in place for it to…  More info

Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna (with Wooden Box)
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Caledonian 45 Year Old 1976 (cask 15243) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

70cl, 53%
Caledonian

Though the Caledonian Distillery is closed, indie bottlers sometimes get their hands on casks of its single grain so we can taste its great whisky! For example, Douglas Laing has bottled up this 45…  More info

Caledonian 45 Year Old 1976 (cask 15243) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

Caledonian 32 Year Old 1987 (cask 23482) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

70cl, 52%
Caledonian

A rare bottling of whisky from the Caledonian Distillery - a wonderful sight! This single grain Scotch whisky was distilled in 1987 (the distillery would be closed a year later in 1988) and matured…  More info

Caledonian 32 Year Old 1987 (cask 23482) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Caperdonich 30 Year Old - Secret Speyside Collection

70cl, 51.1%
Caperdonich

30 year old single malt from the Caperdonich Distillery, released as part of the Secret Speyside Collection. Though the doors of Caperdonich were closed long ago, its whisky can still be enjoyed…  More info

Caperdonich 30 Year Old - Secret Speyside Collection

Glenesk 1985 (bottled 2000) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

70cl, 40%
Glenesk

A rather smart old bottling of Glenesk single malt, distilled in 1985, before the distillery closed its doors for good, eventually being demolished in 1996. This expression was independently bottled…  More info

Glenesk 1985 (bottled 2000) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 19130) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)

70cl, 60.5%
Caperdonich

From the Lady of the Glen range comes a rare sight - Caperdonich single malt! The Caperdonich Distillery closed in the early 2000s, so it's not often you get to see its marvellous whisky! This one…  More info

Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 19130) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)

Caperdonich 20 Year Old 2000 - Valinch & Mallet

70cl, 54.1%
Caperdonich

A rare bottling of single malt Scotch whisky from the closed Caperdonich Distillery in the Speyside region, distilled in 2000 and matured in a bourbon hogshead for 20 years. Following that, it was…  More info

Caperdonich 20 Year Old 2000 - Valinch & Mallet

Littlemill 22 Year Old 1990 (cask 3045) - The Duncan Taylor Single

70cl, 53.5%
Littlemill

A rare bottling of Littlemill single malt, distilled back in October 1990 and bottled by Duncan Taylor in August 2013. Only 96 bottles of this collectible whisky were produced, so if you love whisky…  More info

Littlemill 22 Year Old 1990 (cask 3045) - The Duncan Taylor Single

Glen Mhor 1966 (bottled 2010) – Private Collection (Gordon & MacPhail)

70cl, 45%
Glen Mhor

Here we have a rather rare sight indeed – single malt Scotch from Glen Mhor, a long silent distillery, which closed its doors back in the early eighties. This particular expression was distilled in…  More info

Glen Mhor 1966 (bottled 2010) – Private Collection (Gordon & MacPhail)

Brora 40 Year Old 1978 - 200th Anniversary Release

70cl, 49.2%
Brora

This 40 Year Old hails from the silent Brora Distillery (though plans are under way to revive it!), released to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its opening. The distillery certainly went all out…  More info

Brora 40 Year Old 1978 - 200th Anniversary Release
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Imperial 20 Year Old 1995 (casks 50229 & 50230) - Un-Chillfiltered Collection (Signatory)

70cl, 46%
Imperial

Well-aged single malt from Imperial, distilled back in September 1995! It spent two decades slumbering in a pair of hogshead casks before Signatory bottled it in May 2016, with an outturn of just 429…  More info

Imperial 20 Year Old 1995 (casks 50229 & 50230) - Un-Chillfiltered Collection (Signatory)

Port Ellen 36 Year Old 1983 – Eidolon (Hunter Laing)

70cl, 53.5%
Port Ellen

An excellent rare whisky from Hunter Laing's Eidolon series, this is a 36 year old Port Ellen! This was distilled in 1983, the very same year the distillery closed its doors (though it is now being…  More info

Port Ellen 36 Year Old 1983 – Eidolon (Hunter Laing)

Port Ellen 18 Year Old 1980 - Authentic Collection (WM Cadenhead)

70cl, 62.2%
Port Ellen

An old bottling of rare single malt from Islay's legendary Port Ellen Distillery. This WM Cadenhead independently bottling was distilled in 1980, a few years before Port Ellen closed its doors, and…  More info

Port Ellen 18 Year Old 1980 - Authentic Collection (WM Cadenhead)

Imperial 25 Year Old 1995 (cask 7861) - The Single Malts of Scotland

70cl, 54%
Imperial

From The Single Malts of Scotland independent bottling range comes an exciting example of whisky from a closed distillery – specifically, this one was distilled by Imperial back in 1995, a few years…  More info

Imperial 25 Year Old 1995 (cask 7861) - The Single Malts of Scotland

Caperdonich 24 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)

50cl, 52.6%
Caperdonich

Well-sherried single malt from the sadly closed Caperdonich Distillery, independently bottled for the Darkness range. If you love intensely-sherried drams, then you've come to the right place. This…  More info

Caperdonich 24 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)

Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1995 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 48.6%
Caperdonich

You don't see much Caperdonich around these days – the distillery closed back in 2002, so it's always good news when an independently bottled single malt arrives at our door. In this instance, the…  More info

Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1995 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Carsebridge 34 Year Old 1982 (cask 74688) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

70cl, 40.1%
Carsebridge

Superb single grain, single cask Scotch from Carsebridge, distilled in 1982 – the year before the Lowland-based distillery sadly closed its doors for the final time. After 34 years maturing in a…  More info

Carsebridge 34 Year Old 1982 (cask 74688) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Carsebridge 35 Year Old 1982 (casks 74604) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

70cl, 48.9%
Carsebridge

A wonderful 35 year old Carsebridge single grain Scotch whisky, distilled in December 1982. It was then aged in a single cask refill butt and bottled in July 2018 by Signatory for their Cask Strength…  More info

Carsebridge 35 Year Old 1982 (casks 74604) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
$327.52

Caperdonich 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)

50cl, 54%
Caperdonich

A particularly sublime sherried single malt from the Caperdonich Distillery, independently bottled for the Darkness range! It's a 23 year old expression from the closed distillery, which has enjoyed…  More info

Caperdonich 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
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