Glenlochy 1977 - 1999 Connoisseurs Choice

Distilled in 1977, Glenlochy was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in the Connoisseurs Choice series in 1999, thirteen years after the closure of this distillery. This series has been around since the late 1970s and has changed labels regularly. Colloquially, this version is called 'old map label'.

Tasting note

Nose

The aroma opens with a subtle mix of dried fruits and a hint of old-fashioned malt sweetness, followed by delicate hints of oak and soft smoky notes.

Taste

On tasting, the whisky reveals an elegant balance between sweetness and spiciness, with toffee and caramelised nuts standing out, along with a light and refreshing citrusy freshness.

Finish

The aftertaste is long and warming, deliciously spicy and makes one nostalgically long for more.

More about Glenlochy Distillery

In the shadow of majestic Ben Nevis lies the small town of Fort William, where a hidden gem of whisky history rests: the Glenlochy Distillery. Established in 1898, this distillery lived through the glory days of Scotch whisky, but sadly closed its doors in 1983, like so many distilleries during that difficult period for the whisky industry.

The story begins with the clear, cold waters of the River Nevis, which gave energy and life to the town. Back then, the water was used for malting, fermenting and distilling a unique Highland single malt. Glenlochy's malt was known for its slightly smoky and fruity undertones, a result of the traditional pot stills and slow distillation process.

A visitor entering Glenlochy in its heyday would probably have noticed the soft notes of barley and the warm, sweet smell of the fermentation process. The walls, saturated with the spirit of hundreds of batches of whisky, told stories of the care and dedication that every drop of whisky required.

Now the sounds of production have been replaced by silence, but the memory of Glenlochy lives on in the bottles that survive as collectibles for whisky lovers around the world. Rare and coveted, Glenlochy's malt is cherished as an example of a bygone era - a time when each region gave their whisky its own distinctive character, deeply rooted in Scottish heritage and the pristine nature of the Highlands.