Knockando by Justerini & Brooks 1977
70cl / 40%
£229.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
This vintage 1977 Knockando single malt was bottled in 1991 by Justerini & Brooks Ltd., offering a rare glimpse into the distillery’s elegant Speyside style of the era. Matured for well over a decade and bottled at 40%, it reflects the soft, fruity, and gently oaked character Knockando is renowned for. A classic expression with historical depth and subtle refinement.
Tasting Notes
Soft vanilla, dried fruits, and a touch of old oak.
Smooth malt, stewed apples, and gentle spice.
Light and clean with lingering sweetness.
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A rare Speyside single malt vintage, distilled in 1977 and bottled by Justerini & Brooks, reflecting the distillery's elegant, soft, and fruity style.
At-a-Glance:
| Field | Details |
| Distillery | Knockando |
| Bottler | Justerini & Brooks Ltd. (J&B) |
| Country & Region | Scotland, Speyside |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age | Circa 13 Years Old |
| Vintage | 1977 |
| Bottled | 1990 or 1991 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% (70cl) and 43% (5cl Miniature) |
| Cask / Treatment | Matured for well over a decade in oak casks |
| 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 (Limited vintage bottling) |
| Intended channel | General Release (J&B distribution) |
| Packaging | Standard glass bottle. |
| Notes on discrepancies | Two different bottlings are noted: a 40% ABV/70cl (bottled 1991) and a 43% ABV/5cl (bottled 1990). The 43% ABV is generally preferred by collectors. |
Historical Context
The Knockando distillery, founded in 1898, is known for its high-quality, approachable Speyside single malt. This 1977 vintage bottling is significant because it originated during a crucial period of the distillery's history when it was owned by IDV (International Distillers & Vintners), who transferred the license to its whisky division, Justerini & Brooks (J&B), in 1962. Since then, Knockando has served as the core single malt component for the globally famous J&B blend.
Knockando single malt releases are historically unique in that they often state both the season and years of distillation and the bottling date, providing exceptional transparency to the consumer. This 1977 vintage, bottled circa 1990/1991, offers a rare glimpse into the distillery's production style of the era. The vast majority of 1970s production was destined for blending, making official single malt vintage releases like this particularly scarce.
The bottling strength of 40% (or 43% for the miniature) reflects the prevailing market standards of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The spirit is renowned for its soft, fruity, and gently oaked character, making it a classic example of an elegant Speyside profile.
- Technical Specification & Variant Map
The Knockando 1977 vintage is defined by its bottling strength, which varies depending on the format.
2.1 Documented variants:
- 40% ABV/70cl: Bottled in 1991 by Justerini & Brooks.
- 43% ABV/5cl (Miniature): Bottled in 1990 by Justerini & Brooks.
- The liquid was matured for well over a decade (at least 13 years) in oak casks.
Variant Matrix:
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 43% | 5cl | Miniature/Vintage | Bottled 1990, Higher strength | High (Superior strength in a niche format) |
| 40% | 70cl | General Release/Vintage | Bottled 1991, Standard strength | Core collectible |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist:
The label must clearly state "Knockando," "Vintage 1977," and the bottler, Justerini & Brooks Ltd. The more desirable 43% ABV version is typically the smaller miniature format. Fill levels should be checked, as cork failure is a common issue affecting bottles from the 1990s.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes:
The liquid is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The distillery was unusual in its habit of explicitly stating both the distillation year (Vintage 1977) and the bottling year, providing high provenance.
- Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The profile is typically soft, fruity, and gently refined, characteristic of Knockando's Speyside style.
Nose: Not stated by the producer.
Palate: Not stated by the producer.
Finish: Not stated by the producer.
With water: Not applicable at 40% ABV.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Knockando Distillery (1898) is a Speyside producer owned by Diageo, operating under the Justerini & Brooks (J&B) label since 1962. It serves as the keystone single malt component for the J&B blend. The distillery is known for its elegant, light, and fruity single malt style, rarely producing age-stated single malt releases, which increases the collectible value of this vintage.
Sourcing
- Target formats/eras to prefer: The full 70cl/75cl bottle, focusing on the vintage authenticity (1977 distillation).
- Red flags to avoid: Be cautious of cork failure and leakage typical of 1990s bottlings. Avoid high prices for miniatures.
- Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Excellent fill level is expected.
- Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: Velocity is low. Margin potential is strong if acquired near the lower hammer price (Contextual).
