The first official bottling from whisky's reborn spiritual home.

Expert description

Lindores Abbey Whisky Commemorative First Release Lowland Single Malt Whisky marks the distillery's first official release, bottled at 46%. Lindores Abbey is regarded as the spiritual birthplace of whisky. Scotland's Exchequer Rolls of 1494 record that the monk Friar John Cor was issued eight bolls of malt by order of the King to make 'aqua vitae' — the earliest known written reference to Scotch whisky distillation, equivalent to around 400 bottles by today's standards. Lindores Abbey monastery was founded in 1191 on the banks of the River Tay, and in 2018 archaeologists found remains of a distillation vessel in the ruins. The modern distillery opened in 2017 right next to the historic abbey ruins.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers grain, honey and a hint of fresh fruit.

Palate

The palate is soft with malt, caramel and light spice.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, soft and sweet.

Specifications

Name: Lindores Abbey Whisky Commemorative First Release Lowland Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Lindores Abbey Distillery
Region/Country: Lowland, Scotland
Type: Lowland Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Commemorative First Release

Flavour profile

Malt · Soft · Sweet · Grain

Investment potential

As the distillery's first release, this bottling carries special historical significance and can hold collector interest among enthusiasts of modern Scotch whisky history.

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A litre rather than the usual 70 centilitres. That format was sold in airports, and this bottle has been standing since June 1990.

Please note: Part of the tax strip is missing, and the bottle has a small scratch or knock mark in the glass. The bottle came from Copenhagen Airport, June 1990.

The expert's description

Glenkinchie 10 Year Old Version is a Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 43% in a one litre bottle of 100 CL.

The ten year old was the distillery standard expression until it was replaced by the twelve year old. The change came because the two extra years in oak gave more vanilla, and the twelve has been the one on the shelves ever since.

Litre bottles like this were made for duty-free sales. Label, capsule and format all belong to that period, which makes the bottle as much a piece of airport history as a whisky.

Tasting notes

Nose

Bright and floral with lemon, grass and a note of honey.

Palate

Soft and light at 43% with citrus, malt and a mild spiced sweetness. The Lowland style is clear: clean and without weight.

Finish

Short to medium, dry and lightly grassy.

Specifications

Name: Glenkinchie 10 Year Old Version Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 100 cl 43%
Distillery: Glenkinchie
Region/Country: Lowland, Scotland
Type: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 100 CL
Other: Older bottling, duty-free, Copenhagen Airport June 1990

Flavour profile

Light · Floral · Citrus · Malty · Dry

Investment potential

Medium. The litre format was phased out along with duty-free sales within the EU, and the ten year old no longer exists. Bottles with documented origin and date are easier to place with collectors than those without.

Did you know?

Glenkinchie stopped malting its own grain in 1969, and the malting floors were turned into a whisky museum. The museum has been open to visitors ever since and is one of the oldest attractions of its kind in Scotch whisky.

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