Scotland, Speyside. Distillery operational. Owner: Pernod Ricard

Then owned by the Chivas Brothers group, in the early 1970s Aberlour was one of Scotland's first Speyside distilleries to release on the French market various versions of its single malt aged entirely in ex-sherry casks. Some of these had been matured for 8 or 9 years and their labels already featured the vintages 1964 and 1965. What made Aberlour really stand out from its contemporaries, however, was its “100 proof” (50% ABV) alcohol content - a reflection of its strong temperament - and its small square bottle unlike any other, emblazoned with the words “Aberlour – Glenlivet, Unblended All Malt Scotch Whisky.”Now owned by and the standard bearer for the Pernod Ricard group, Aberlour has kept its character alive through a limited edition baptized A'Bunadh, on the way swapping its small square bottle for a rounder, more generous shape. For the distillery's most prestigious bottlings, it opts for a more slender, classic and elegant design.

An Ardmore 25 year old bottled by Cadenhead. Cadenhead was founded in 1842 by George Duncan, who was quickly joined by William Cadenhead who renamed the business after Duncan’’s death in 1858. When Cadenhead in turn passed away in 1904, his nephew Robert Duthie took over and turned the business into the independent bottler it is today. After Duthie, it was managed by one of his employees, Ann Olivier, whose stubborn approach to running the business led to much of the stock having to be sold at auction by Christie’’s (London) in 1972 to feed the kitty and save the business. It was then sold to J. & A. Mitchell and Co, who also owned Springbank, and moved to Campbeltown.