Gordon Graham's Black Bottle 10yo

Black Bottle was created in 1879 by Gordon Graham and Co. based in Aberdeen. The three Graham brothers (Charles Innes, Gordon and David) original business was tea but they switched their attention to whisky blending. Soon the popularity of the whisky spread through the East Coast fisherman who favoured it on long sea journeys.

Black Bottle's name came from its original bottle design based on black German glass and echoing the traditional pot whisky still. In 1914, following the outbreak of war, production was switched to green glass as it is to be found today.

Black Bottle combines the finest of grain whiskies with malts from the seven distilleries of Islay, which form the heart of the blend.

Relaunched in 2013, Black Bottle Blended Scotch whisky now features a balanced mix of fruitiness and spice alongside the peaty Islay notes that the brand has been known for. This change in direction is a return to Black Bottle's past, as it is said to have been inspired by what the whisky was like when it was made all the way back in 1879. This has also inspired the new old-style black glass bottle, which gave the whisky its name.

This is 10-year-old Black Bottle blended whisky, released in January 2020 after a decade in American oak casks – the first release from the brand in over 20 years. Aromas of honey, ripe fruit and vanilla burst through the nose, complementing rich notes of oak, soft fruit and smoky spice on the palate.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Hints of smoke surround polished oak, aromatic spices and melted brown sugar, with apple sweeties and heather honey.

Palate: Gingersnap biscuits and milk chocolate digestives, apple cake and pear drops alongside fragrant peat smoke.

Finish: Golden syrup and spiced banana bread, with cinnamon and a lingering smokiness.