GORDON & MACPHAIL – Aberdeen Whisky Shop
Convalmore 39 Years Old 1984
Opened as the fourth of Dufftown’s famed seven stills in the heart of Speyside in 1894, Convalmore’s waxy, fruity spirit has very rarely been seen as a single malt whisky. Dedicated almost entirely to blended whiskies, production was interrupted in 1909 by a fire. The distillery expanded in 1964 but was mothballed in 1985. The original buildings are still on the site but the production equipment has been removed. This 39 year old single malt, matured in a bespoke Gordon & MacPhail cask, is a forgotten masterpiece – a lost work of art that revives the spirit of a bygone era. This single malt was distilled on 4th October 1984 and aged in refill Sherry hogshead before bottling on the 19th June 2024. It was bottled at 51.1% ABV, at natural, dark mahogany colour and without chill filtration.
NOSE
Rich treacle toffee aromas combine with cinnamon spice and subtle beewax polish. Stewed raisin comes to the fore alongside soft and sweet butterscotch.
PALATE
Clementine intertwines with stewed forest fruit and toasted hazelnut. Demerara sugar develops, accompanied by subtle coffee bean and a hint of dried banana.
FINISH
A full finish with black pepper and grapefruit zest.
Only 108 bottles produced.
Rosebank 32 Years Old 1991
The history of Rosebank Distillery has been directly linked with the Forth & Clyde canal which sits in its shadow. The waterway linked Scotland’s west and east coasts, and therefore its two main cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh. A distillery called Rosebank was operating as early as 1817. From 1840, under the ownership of the Rankine family, Rosebank prospered. The canal, however, became neglected and the distillery eventually closed its doors in 1993. It was reopened under new ownership to great fanfare in 2024. This release, a lost work of art, is one of the oldest and rarest Rosebank single malts ever released. This single malt was distilled on 3rd July 1991 and aged in first fill Bourbon barrel before bottling on the 18th June 2024. It was bottled at 51.2% ABV, at natural, golden colour and without chill filtration.
NOSE
Fragrant gorse flower aromas intertwine with lime zest and a hint of milk chocolate. Dried banana notes come to the fore alongside an undertone of peanuts.
PALATE
Sweet honeycomb flavours give way to subtle guava and passionfruit. Smooth poached pear leads to vanilla fudge.
FINISH
Medium-bodied with creamy apple and tropical fruit.
Only 141 bottles produced.
