Crabbie 8 Year Old (1970s Edition)
75cl / 40%
£99.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
Tasting Notes
Apples, Apricots, Gooseberries, Smoke, Ice Cream
Gooseberries, Apricots, Grapes, Smoke
Medium Finish, Tutti Frutty, Rich
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A rare and evocative 1970s blend, an unrepeatable liquid artefact of the original John Crabbie & Co. blending house.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Undisclosed / John Crabbie & Co. Ltd. / Scotland, Blended Scotch |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 8 Years Old / Bottled 1970s |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% vol (70 UK Proof) / 75.7cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Aged in oak (Not stated by the producer) |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer (Final production era) |
| Intended channel | UK Domestic Retail |
| Packaging | Standard glass bottle (estimated 75.7cl volume for the era) |
| Notes on discrepancies | This is a final bottling before the Crabbie whisky brand disappeared from the market following the 1963 DCL takeover. |
Historical Context
John Crabbie & Co. was an iconic 19th-century Edinburgh-based blending house, instrumental in the formation of the North British Distilling Company. Crabbie's reputation was built on sourcing and blending high-quality components. However, after the company was acquired by the Distillers Company Limited (DCL) in 1963, the Crabbie whisky brand was phased out, with the last releases disappearing entirely in the 1970s.
This 8 Year Old bottling is critically important as a liquid snapshot from that specific transitional decade. It contains whisky blended and bottled by the original company’s systems, capturing the definitive style of Crabbie’s blending before the brand was retired for decades. The bottle possesses significant scarcity derived from its historical finality, making it an essential acquisition for collectors focused on the pre-consolidation history of DCL-era Scotch.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The Crabbie 8 Year Old adhered to the technical standards of the 1970s UK domestic market. It is an 8 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 70 UK Proof, which is precisely 40% ABV. The liquid volume is noted as 75.7cl (or 26 2/3 fl oz). The components were aged in oak casks. As a 40% ABV blend from this era, it is logically assumed to have been both chill-filtered and coloured to ensure clarity and consistency.
Documented variants
The technical specifications are uniform for this specific 1970s bottling.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 75.7cl | UK Domestic Retail | 70 Proof, 1970s label, final era of production | High (Historical authenticity and Old Bottle Fragrance) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Authentication requires confirming the 8 Year Old statement and the 70 Proof (40% ABV) strength. A key characteristic noted by collectors is the presence of "Old Bottle Fragrance" (OBF), a complex aromatic development that validates the liquid’s successful, decades-long journey in the glass. The cork and seal integrity is paramount. Fill levels should be strictly at Upper Shoulder (US) or better, as low-strength vintage whiskies are susceptible to oxidation.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The term Blended Scotch Whisky confirms the composition of malt and grain whiskies, with the youngest component being 8 years old. The bottling strength of 40% ABV is the standard legal minimum.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The profile is celebrated for its complexity and highly specific notes of fruit and confectionery that are highly evocative of older blends.
Nose: A rich "cornucopia of fruitiness," featuring apples, apricots, and gooseberries, alongside mineral notes, honey sweetness, and a whisper of smoke. It also exhibits the distinctive, highly desirable Old Bottle Fragrance (OBF).
Palate: Smooth and creamy, with a continuation of fruit notes (gooseberries, apricots, red grapes). It delivers the "confectionery sweetness" of icing sugar, characteristic of old blends, coupled with cream and a hint of smoke.
Finish: Rich, very sweet, and medium to long. It echoes the tutti-frutti and icing sugar notes, offering a nostalgic and indulgent conclusion.
With water: Not stated by the producer.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Highly variable, often listed between £90.00 and £150.00.
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £50.00 (Hammer price).
Pricing stratification: Value is highly stable at the auction floor but increases significantly for bottles with excellent fill levels and confirmed provenance, driven primarily by the historical appeal and the presence of OBF.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is modest. Sourcing is restricted to auction and specialist vintage channels, appealing mainly to dedicated historical blend collectors.
Price Snapshot
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
John Crabbie & Co. was a historically significant, innovative blending house in Edinburgh. Its legacy is tied to the quality of its blends and its contribution to the industrial growth of Scotch whisky in the 19th century.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras
Target the 8 Year Old, 70 Proof (40% ABV) bottling from the 1970s, ensuring the John Crabbie & Co. bottler stamp.
Red flags to avoid
Low fill levels (Mid Shoulder or below) are detrimental to the quality of this old, low-strength liquid.
Condition thresholds
Upper Shoulder (US) fill level minimum is required. Label wear is expected but should not compromise legibility.
Margin/velocity expectations
Medium margin, medium velocity. A reliable vintage asset due to its established scarcity and unique profile.
