Scotland, Isle of Islay. Distillery operational. Owner: Remy Cointreau

Owned by Invergordon Distillers from 1968 until 1993, when it joined the Whyte & Mackay portfolio, Bruichladdich closed in 1995. At the time it produced an unpeated malt primarily used for blends. Whilst well-known for its bourbon casks released in 10, 15 and 21 year old versions, it was above all the sherry-cask versions selected and bottled for the Italian market that made a lasting impression. It was for Moon Import that Penny Black 1968 and Bruichladdich 1965 (52%) - celebrating the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer - were bottled in ceramic jugs.Bought in December 2000 by Mark Reynier and reopened in May 2001, the distillery has since released endless limited editions and exclusive bottlings, including a superb 40 year old, several 1970 and 1972 vintages, and the Legacy range, primarily featuring bottlings from the late 1960s.

A Bruichladdich 26 year old distilled in 1991 and bottled in 2017. Cadenhead was founded in 1842 by George Duncan, who was quickly joined by William Cadenhead, who renamed the business after Duncan’’s death in 1858. When Cadenhead in turn passed away in 1904, his nephew Robert Duthie took over and turned the business into the independent bottler it is today. After Duthie, it was managed by one of his employees, Ann Olivier, whose stubborn approach to running the business led to much of the stock having to be sold at auction by Christie’’s (London) in 1972 to feed the kitty and save the business. It was then sold to J. & A. Mitchell and Co, who also owned Springbank, and moved to Campbeltown. A limited edition of 210 bottles.