Glenkinchie 1986

A Lowland survivor, Glenkinchie has prospered while other distilleries have closed and been demolished. In 2021, its transformation was complete when its visitor experience was transformed to become part of the Johnnie Walker Experience. This is its bread and butter every day as while the distillery does have a modest single malt presence, it is rarely bottled by independent bottlers and generally isn’t available to the market. Established in 1825 by Milton by the Rate family, who then change the name to Glenkinchie in 1837 before selling up a few years later when distilling stops. This returns to the site in the late 1890s via new owners before the distillery is acquired by Scottish Malt Distillers, a forerunner of Diageo, today. Often referred to as the ‘breakfast malt’, Glenkinchie is light, approachable and inoffensive. Its constant expressions are a 12 year old Distillers Edition with the odd exclusive bottling. Quite often these are seen as ideal stepping stones into the world of single malts.