Littlemill – 1985 Connoisseur’s Choice (70cl, 40%)

Littlemill – 1985 Connoisseur’s Choice is a whisky from Littlemill (Lowland). Bottled at 40% ABV, 70cl. First licensed in 1817, yet debatably illicitly practicing whisky production from as early as 1772, Littlemill distillery called upon the Kilpatrick hills spring for their water source, which is above the Highlands line, contradicting Littlemill’s actual geography residing within the Lowlands belt. It is still considered a Lowlands distillery, and produced three signature whiskies; the Dumbuck, Dunglass and self titled, Littlemill. The real story of Littlemill distillery begins in 1750 when Archibald Buchanan purchased Auchentrolie Estate, just a few miles west of Loch Lomond on the banks of the river Clyde, from his brother Andrew, and with it, a brewery called Littlemill. The distillery changed hands a fair few times over the hundred years between then and the 1990s, when it was snaffled up by an investor company who then went bankrupt, and the distillery was dismantled. The Littlemill malts are still available (for now) but the Dumbuck and Douglas peated lines were discontinued. Connoisseurs Choice is one of the most easily recognised ranges from the independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail. This range was launched by George Urquhart - one of the first of four generations of the family to build Gordon & MacPhail - back in the 1960s; a period where most malts were used in blends so this was quite an unusual move for the company. Perhaps due to the popularity surrounding blends, this range did well as the exception by showcasing some distilleries which had never before been bottled as single malts and thus, it has proved to be a hit for more than 35 years. Littlemill Please note minor wear to carton