Whisky Forum - Greetings and a question about Duke of Argyll whisky.

Chris85 · Member Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Posts: 6

Hi folks.

After lurking for a while because I'm very new to whisky I've decided to join up. I only started drinking whisky a couple of years ago when I received a bottle of Glenlivet from my boss. I thought it would last me a couple of years if I had a nip at Christmas and on special occasions. I tried it, I liked it, I had another. The bottle was gone quite quickly. I have a young family so I can't really afford to drink malt regularly but I treat myself to a bottle at birthdays and Christmas and if I run out I drink Grouse as it's the best cheap, bottle. I'mean currently torn between buying more Glenlivet, trying something like Aberfeldy 12 or taking the plunge, buy a bottle of Laphroaig and hoping I like it! I'm 31 so hopefully I have a good few years to get into this expensive but delightful hobby. It also helps that I live in Angus and grew up in Aberdeen so I'm only a short trip over the hills to Speyside!

Anyway, while discussing which bottle I'd like for Christmas with my wife's grandmother she mentioned a bottle that her late husband had acquired many years ago while visiting Argyll (he himself was a Campbell but not a relation to the Duke!), it''s a bottle of Duke of Argyll 12 year old. It's been sitting in a cupboard for at least 30 years and hadn't seen the light of day until I took it out for photos today. I haven't found much info on it anywhere but the old dear is wondering what it is worth and what the story behind it is. I'll upload the pics when I work out how to. Does anyone know anything about it? A Google search shows a fancy decanter but this one is a glass bottle. He had a decanter to match it but it''s gone missing.

Thanks, Chris.

sorren · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 7:34 pm Post subject:

Hi and welcome..
I can't help on the bottle but when on a budget don't rule out Glen moray. A very well priced whisky and easily found in most supermarkets on offer and the new sherry version of the classic is great and at Â£20-22 it's bargain.. you could try the peated expression too, if you like it then it's a step towards the bigger Islay bottles ..

Chris85 · Member Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Posts: 6

Thanks for the pointers Sorren. I looked past the Glen Moray in Asda today because of the low price tag but I'll read a bit more about it. At this very moment I'm sipping on a Glenfiddich 12 miniature I picked up today as I've never tried it and it seems like a popular drink for comparing to others. From what I remember it seems a tad more woody than The Glenlivet, it went down like water. I don't think I'll manage to drink blended again, too much burn.

TheWM · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 9:14 pm Post subject:

Go for an age statemented whisky (i.e. 10 years +) there's plenty of deals out there in the build up to Xmas and go with Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie and Aberlour types of whisky to keep your interest and not be off by peaty/smoky numbers early in your whisky adventure. I'm currently dramming a Glen Moray sherry cask. To be honest it's youthful and not had long in a sherry cask at all. The 10 year old Chardonnay is far better (more of a summer dram) but is only a few quid more.

Get yourself to Aldi and lidl and look for their single malts, in fact most supermarkets have a decent own brand. Whilst expensive the Glen Marnoch 28 @ Aldi is worth every penny of Â£40 and Lidls Glen Alba range of blends are very good. The 25 is excellent value and is worth considering.

There are whiskies, bourbons and blends out there that won't break the bank just need to do a bit of research- look around at where the deals are at and take the plunge. Good luck!

Quaich1 · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 9:26 pm Post subject:

Hi Chris, I remember reading a Forum post quite a while ago suggesting that this was a brand sold by the Duke Of Argyll for export and that the whisky was actually Springbank whisky. Here's some further info William gave back in 2010:

"Arty i can give you a bit of info on this range, not sure about value though as i have not come across abottle for sale.

As you may already know Argyll is a Scottish county comprising of the mid west of Scotland and the islands off the coast. The Argyll of today is still largely identical to the old territory of the Clan Campbell, whose chief, the Duke of Argyll, maintains the ancestral home of the clan at Inveraray castle at Loch Fyne.

Apart from the extensive estates the Duke (who died in 2001) also had wide commercial interests, amongst other things he was engaged in the whisky business and was on the board of Campbell Distillers, the subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, and he profited from the sale of twhiskies which were decorated with his coat of arms and signature. These were commissioned by him for his Beinn Bhuidhe Holdings and filled as a blend and as a 12, 15 and 17 year old single malt.

Whilst Argylls colleague, the chief of the clan MacLeod from Dunvegan Castle on Skye, really only sold his single malt to visitors to his castle, the whisky from His Grace, The Duke, was not only available in Inveraray, but elsewhere as well.

Sorry i dont have any info as to what is in the bottle but would be interested to know where you got the info that it may be Springbank in the bottle".
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

Chris85 · Member Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Posts: 6

Chris85 · Member Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Posts: 6

William · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:40 am Post subject:

Cheers Murray for the quote. I have never been able to confirm which single malt was bottled as the Duke of Argyll whisky and I haven't tasted it to hazard a guess myself.

Regarding value I have seen very few bottles of the Duke of Argyll come to auction but here is an example of a bottle of Duke of Argyll 15 year old in a pot still shaped decanter which sold for Â£100 back in March 2015

https://www.scotchwhiskyauctions.com/auctions/84_the-47th-auction/57834_duke-of-argyll-pot-still-decanter-15-year-old/
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

dramblersanonymous · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 7:00 am Post subject:

This might be a little helpful.

https://www.whiskybase.com/whisky/38126/argyll-12-year-old

Take the values with a pinch of salt.

Chris85 · Member Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Posts: 6

sorren · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 5:08 pm Post subject:

Chris..
Don't rule out blends straight away there are some good blends out there.. if you have a Marks and spencer near by you should possibly look at Paul John Brilliance.. it's currently Â£32 and is a great whisky.. it is a no age statement but not all NAS bottles are bad..