Black Bottle Circa 2000’s
70cl / 40%
£149.00
- Region: Scotland
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The classic, discontinued 10 Year Old Age Statement blend, celebrated by enthusiasts for its heavily Islay-influenced recipe.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Burn Stewart Distillers (Bottler) / Scotland (Blended Scotch) |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky (Age Statement 10 Year Old) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 10 Year Old / Bottled Circa 2000–2013 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV, 70cl (UK/EU standard) |
| Cask / Treatment | Not Stated (Blend features malts from all Islay distilleries) |
| Natural Colour | Not Stated (Likely Coloured) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | No (Likely Chill-Filtered at 40% ABV) |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Standard production bottling (now discontinued) |
| Intended channel | Global Mass Market / Core Range |
| Packaging | Green glass bottle, paper label, often sold boxed. |
| Notes on discrepancies | The current low auction prices (£20–£24) are highly misleading, often resulting from confusion with the lower-value NAS version. The authenticated 10 Year Old blend commands £100–£120 at specialist retail due to its superior Islay recipe. |
Historical Context
The Circa 2000s era represents a pivotal and highly regarded period in the brand’s history under Burn Stewart Distillers. This blend was centered on the slogan "Finest Scotch Whisky with a Heart of Islay". During this phase, the composition famously included malt whisky from all working distilleries on Islay, delivering a notably phenolic, smoky profile.
The significance of this 10 Year Old bottling is tied directly to its discontinuation. Following the 2013 acquisition by Distell, the Black Bottle recipe was significantly overhauled to reduce the Islay influence and deliver a lighter profile. This shift led to immediate and enduring lament among enthusiasts. The scarcity and high desirability of the circa 2000s 10 Year Old today stems directly from its status as the superior, highly peated predecessor.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
This expression provides a clear Age Statement, guaranteeing a minimum maturation period of ten years, a key distinction from the subsequent non-age-statement (NAS) core expressions. The defining feature remains the unique blend composition, which includes malts from every active Islay distillery. The standard UK/EU market bottling strength was 40% ABV.
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 70cl | UK/EU | Green glass, 10 Year Old Age Statement, 'Heart of Islay' slogan. | High (Preferred collector format due to recipe). |
| 43% | 75cl | Export (e.g., US) | Green glass, 10 Year Old Age Statement. | Moderate (Less common, identical liquid profile). |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Identification requires careful attention to the label detail to distinguish it from the current NAS version. The bottle is dark green glass, typical of the pre-2013 era.
Labels: The label must explicitly state the "10 Year Old" age statement. The text, "Finest Scotch Whisky with a Heart of Islay," is commonly featured.
Red Flags: The most critical authentication step is confirming the presence of the "10 Year Old" age statement on the label.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The 10 Year Old designation confirms that the youngest component whisky in this blend was aged for at least a decade. The 'Heart of Islay' branding confirms the high phenolic influence derived from all island distilleries.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The liquid profile is characterised by its successful integration of substantial peat smoke with malty sweetness, contrasting sharply with the lighter modern recipe.
- Nose: A distinctly smoky profile—often described as subtle peat smoke or lingering campfire smoke—intertwined with polished oak and aromatic spices. Dominant sweet aromas include melted brown sugar, apple sweeties, pear drops, and heather honey.
- Palate: Noted for being full-bodied. Flavours include gingersnap biscuits, milk chocolate digestives, pear drops, and a noticeable presence of fragrant peat smoke. Underlying notes of caramel and wood spice provide complexity.
- Finish: Long and warm. It concludes with lingering notes of golden syrup, spiced banana bread, cinnamon, and a pleasant, satisfying smokiness.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
- Original RRP (GBP): Approximately $\text{£36.00}$ (Circa 2000s).
- Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £100.00 – £120.00 (Specialist pricing for confirmed discontinued stock).
- Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £20.00 – £24.00.
- Pricing stratification: The low auction results are highly misleading due to frequent confusion with the current NAS version. Specialist retailers who recognise the "Heart of Islay" recipe confidently list this bottling at $\text{£100–£120}$. This significant price gap is a function of authentication risk and market segmentation.
- Liquidity $\to$ sourcing note: Liquidity is fair to moderate. The primary sourcing opportunity lies in identifying and acquiring lots selling at the low auction floor price before remarketing to the specialist enthusiast segment at a significant margin.
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| UK Retail | Circa 2000s | RRP 70cl/40% | £36.00 | Historical RRP. |
| EU Auction | May 2023 | 70cl/40% (No box) | £20.40 (Hammer) | Based on 24 EUR hammer price. |
| UK Auction | Nov 2024 | 70cl/40% | £20.00 (Hammer) | Low recent hammer price. |
| UK Retail | Recent | 70cl/40% (Boxed) | £120.00 | Specialist retail price for authenticated 10YO stock. |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Burn Stewart Distillers (pre-Distell) is associated with the period often regarded as the peak of Black Bottle’s flavour expression. Their ownership of Bunnahabhain allowed them to centre the blend around high-quality Islay malt, creating a highly respected blended whisky. The legacy of this 10 Year Old bottling is one of robust flavour innovation now highly prized by collectors.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras: Focus exclusively on the dark green glass 70cl (or 75cl) bottles featuring the prominent “10 Year Old” age statement on the label.
Red flags to avoid: The primary red flag is purchasing the post-2013 NAS blend in the opaque black bottle.
Condition thresholds: Good condition (B+) is generally acceptable, but bottles in pristine condition (especially with the original box) command the highest specialist retail prices.
Margin/velocity expectations: Medium velocity among knowledgeable enthusiasts. The substantial margin potential is realised by accurately identifying undervalued stock sold at auction and repositioning it at the established specialist retail price.
