Glen Albyn distillery was located in Inverness and founded by James Sutherland in 1844 but destroyed by fire three years later. It was rebuilt in 1884 and then sold to Mackinley & Birnie in 1920.

The distillery complex was closed and used as a US Naval base for producing mines between 1917-1919-

In 1972 DCL (Distillers Co. Ltd - later Diageo) purchased the distillery but then closed it during their cost-cutting exercise in 1983, finally demolishing it a few years later.

General whisky characteristics: Leafy and grainy

Distillery photo with kind permission by Teimei Horiuchi

More great distillery info here thanks to Malt Madness

G&M, Glen Albyn, distilled 1968, 75cl, 40% ABV

Typical cost of this; originally €€€€€ now €€€€€ to €€€€€

Glass: Spiegelau

Colour: Rich gold, not quite amber

Nose: Initially slightly damp but freshly sawn wood shavings. Slowly this grows into what I can only describe as an engineering workshop. Over time it opens further into a much more pleasant mixture of treacle toffee, slight rubber and damp leaves.

Palate: Slightly watery, but yet oily mouth feel with a touch of graininess. Leafy, very slightly aromatic butterscotch.

Finish: Long, leafy and grainy.

Overall Impression: The development of the nose was one of the strangest I have yet encountered, but strange as it is, I like this whisky, I just wish it were a little stronger than the usual G&M 40%.

Glen Albyn, distilled 16.1.1981, bottled 15.3.2010, 29y, 57.5% ABV

Signatory Cask Strength collection, Hogshead No. 50, one of 263 bottles

Typical cost of this; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Very pale gold

Nose: Initially slow to develop but eventually offering richly polished oak and getting more intense as the minutes pass, to the point where I detect nuts and light exotic spices.

Palate: Smooth nuts and malt, but it seems to be asking for a few drops of water as after the initial sweetness it becomes more intrusive and peppery.

With 4 drops of water: A lighter and much more fragrant nose, whilst the palate is even smoother with polished oak, nuts and hints of dark fruit which I identify as something along the lines of dark cherries.

With 4 more drops of water: The nose is evne lighter but becoming extremely floral. The palate still has oak but more notes of spices with a hint of pepper are appearing.

With a final 4 drops of water: the nose is now extremely light and faint. The palate is a light floral butterscotch.

Finish: Long and more intense with the water added.

Overall Impression: A very smooth and enjoyable whisky, but it does need some coaxing with water the get the best out of it, although the third addition of 4 drops was just a little too much.