Carsebridge 41 years 1976 Cadenhead's One of 144 - bottled 2018 (Brown)

Carsebridge was founded in 1799 by John Bald. Originally, Carsebridge was a malt distillery, but in 1852 it was turned into a grain distillery to support the growing popularity of blends. Carsebridge was one of six grain distilleries to form Distillers Company Limited (Diageo’s predecessor) in 1877. In 1902, however, a fire ceased production for almost a year. The distillery was then modernized in 1956, with the notable creation of a new cooperage, before the distillery was then transferred to Scottish Grain Distillers, a subsidiary of Distillers Company Limited. Finally, despite having become one of the largest grain distilleries in Scotland, it closed in 1983, like many other distilleries at the time, and was then demolished in 1992.

A Carsebridge single cask distilled in 1976 and bottled in 2018. Cadenhead''s was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead then joined the company and, when George Duncan died in 1858, took over and renamed the business after himself. William’’s nephew Roberth Duthie developed the company in the early 20th century and it remained a family business until 1969. William Cadenhead Ltd was then sold to the Springbank distillery’’s owner J. & A. Mitchell and Co. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendent of Archibald and John Mitchell, became William Cadenhead Ltd’’s CEO. In the past, Cadenhead had mainly sold its own brands, such as Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, the company began to take more of an interest in single malts. This led to the creation of the legendary collection of dumpy bottles in 1977. This series of single malts stood out for its very gentle filtration, lack of artificial colouring, and relatively high bottling strength for the time (80 proof/45.7% ABV). The labels included lots of information, including the month and year of distillation and bottling, and whether or not sherry casks were used. Also in 1977, the business moved to another address in Aberdeen, and finally to Campbeltown. In the 1980s, Cadenhead sold casks to legendary bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through the subsidiary Duthie’’s. Finally, two new whisky ranges were created in 1991 and 1992, the Original Collection bottled at 46% and the Authentic Collection bottled at cask strength. Other special series to mark Cadenhead’’s major anniversaries (150 and 175 years), as well as new ranges launched since (Small Batch, World Whiskies, etc.), have all contributed to the company’’s ongoing history up to the present day. A limited edition of 144 bottles.