J&B -6° C 70cl
70cl / 40%
£99.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: Yes
If you like this whisky, you will also like these
A technically innovative market variant of the foundational J&B Rare blend, designed to be served at sub-zero temperatures.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Justerini & Brooks (J&B) / Scotland (Distilled in Speyside/various) |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky (Special Edition) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | No Age Statement (NAS) / N/A / Discontinued commercial release (Era N/A) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Combination of 42 single malts and grains; primarily Speyside malt core |
| Natural Colour | Caramel permitted (Standard Scotch Blended regulations) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Likely chill-filtered (Standard process for J&B Rare) |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer; presumed high volume limited release |
| Intended channel | Nightclub/Bar/On-trade consumption; mixing emphasis |
| Packaging | Unique packaging designed to highlight the -6° C chilling concept |
| Notes on discrepancies | The liquid is structurally identical to the standard J&B Rare. The innovation is solely the recommended serving temperature of -6° C, which suppresses flavor harshness for an ultra-smooth cocktail base. Collector interest is driven by the unique branding and packaging, not liquid rarity. |
Historical Context
Justerini & Brooks (J&B) is one of the oldest wine and spirits merchants in Britain, established in 1749. The base product, J&B Rare, was formulated in the 1930s.
The development of the -6° C edition represents a focused effort to integrate the brand into modern nightlife. By explicitly recommending ultra-chilled serving, the product was strategically positioned as a chilled shot or a non-intrusive base spirit for cocktails. The purpose of serving this blend hyper-chilled is to achieve an ultra-smooth, clean profile by suppressing any residual harshness, maximizing its 'flawless mixing' utility.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The J&B -6° C is defined by its operational thermodynamics. Serving at a sub-zero temperature (-6° C) chemically alters the sensory experience by reducing the perceived intensity of both sweetness and bitterness, allowing the blend to function as a versatile, nearly neutral spirit base.
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 70cl | EU/Global Market | Specific 'J&B -6° C' label/packaging | Medium (Niche collector interest in branding innovations) |
| 40% | 70cl | Global Standard | Standard 'J&B Rare' label | Low (Mass market commodity) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Authenticity for the -6° C variant is solely determined by the specialized packaging. Collectors should demand bottles in impeccable condition, with FN (Full Neck) fill levels. Any wear or damage to the unique labelling significantly diminishes the bottle's value as a piece of brand memorabilia.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The liquid complies with all UK Scotch Whisky Regulations. Chill-filtration is crucial here; standard chill-filtered whisky remains colloidally stable at low temperatures, preventing 'chill haze' (clouding), which makes the ultra-chilling concept commercially viable at -6° C.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The profile reflects J&B Rare, noting that the characteristics below would be significantly attenuated by the intended sub-zero serving temperature.
- Nose: Light, featuring a core mix of apples, orange, caramel, and malt. Subtle and gentle.
- Palate: Smooth and light-bodied, exhibiting summer fruits, malt, and caramel notes. Achieves a delicate balance.
- Finish: Short and clean, with a gentle woody spice note.
- With water: Incompatible with the product’s intended use, which relies on maximum chilling as the primary sensory modifier.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
- Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Standard J&B Rare retails typically range between £18.25 and £19.76 for a 70cl bottle.
- Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): No specific auction history is available.
- Pricing stratification: The value is driven solely by its status as discontinued, limited-run packaging. It commands a premium over the commodity price of the base liquid, but does not achieve high collector status.
- Estimated Collector Retail (No direct sources): £40.00–£60.00.
- Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity for the packaging is very low.
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| UK Retailer (Proxy) | Current (Est. Q4 2025) | J&B Rare, 70cl, 40% | £18.25 | Standard reference price for base liquid |
| UK Retailer (Proxy) | Current (Est. Q4 2025) | J&B Rare, 70cl, 40% | £19.76 | Alternative standard reference price |
| Estimated Collector Retail | Current (Est. Q4 2025) | J&B -6° C, 70cl, 40% | £40.00–£60.00 | Estimated premium for specialized, discontinued packaging |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
J&B excels in the production of consistent, high-volume blended Scotch. The brand strategy focuses on global market share and product versatility, prioritizing smoothness and mixability above intense maturation complexity.
Sourcing
- Target formats/eras: The specific 70cl bottle featuring clear 'J&B -6° C' branding cues is the sole target.
- Red flags to avoid: Standard J&B Rare bottles lacking the specialised branding. Any damage to the main label.
- Condition thresholds: Immaculate presentation and FN fill levels are mandatory, as the value resides entirely in the cosmetic aspect.
- Margin/velocity expectations: Velocity is slow. Margins are achieved by selling the item as a collectible branding artefact.
