Convalmore distillery was founded in 1893 in Dufftown, Banffshire by The Convalmore-Glenlivet Distillery Co. Ltd and production started in 1894.

In 1904 Convalmore was sold to W & P. Lowrie who ran into financial difficulties and sold the distillery to James Buchanan & Co. Ltd just two years later in 1906.

Following a fire in 1909 the distillery was rebuilt and they experimented with continuous distillation via a column still until 1915 when it was removed.

DCL took it over in 1925 and added 2 extra stills in 1964

Convalmore was closed in 1985 by DCL (Diageo) and then the premises were sold to William Grant & Sons, although Diageo have retained ownership of the 'brand' Convalmore.

Distillery photo with kind permission by Teun van Wel

More great distillery info here thanks to Malt Madness

General whisky characteristics: Rich, intense, smooth, slightly chemical

Convalmore, Rare Malts 24y, distilled 1978,  59.4% ABV

Cask Strength, bottle No.6057

Typical cost of this bottle; Unknown, now a collectible

Dram-atics "Classics" review

Glass: Glencairn

Colour: Rich gold

Nose: I need some time with this one, it's quite difficult initially. Some light fruity notes are coming through, then a hint of polish too but is it car polish, furniture polish ...? It's really very subdued and gentle, even after time. Perhaps slightly bitter too?

Palate: Much more expressive than the nose with an overall creaminess, vanilla and lots of fruitiness with (cantaloupe) melon, papaya, mango and even a suggestion of ginger.

Finish: Very long with a gentle pepperiness.

Overall Impression: I love it. Yes, the nose is a little difficult but the palate comes through and screams "magnificent!"

Cadenhead, Convalmore-Glenlivet, 1977, 21y, distilled 1977, bottled March 1998,  64.4% ABV

Cask Strength, Cask = Butt, one of 594 bottles

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Glowing amber

Nose: Initially quite strong, slightly burnt liquorice. With time in the glass it mellows as the burnt effect fades to leave creamy malt, slightly chemical flora and a pleasantly antiseptic smokiness.

Palate: Full and rich, but smooth considering the 64.4% ABV. Very rich, rye bread.

With 4 drops of water: Smoother with more liquorice and nuts.

With 4 more drops of water: Even smoother and more intense.

4 Further drops of water: The nose is much more floral and the palate even more intense.

Finish: Very long and intensely floral liquorice, nuts and slightly chemical.

Overall Impression: Don't worry about the 'chemical' elements, this is a marvellous whisky but be sure to add water!

G&M, Connoisseurs Choice 1969, 12y  40% ABV

Old brown label

Typical cost of this bottle; Unknown, now a collectible

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Rich yellow gold

Nose: Lots of creamy malty vanilla with just a hint of furniture polish. With time in the glass the vanilla creaminess expands and is eventually joined by oil of orange and a suggestion of caramel or fudge.

Palate: Slightly dry and watery, in fact can I suggest a lightly smoky Lapsang Souchong tea?

Finish: Surprisingly long.

Overall Impression: Lots of promise from the nose just wasn't quite delivered by the palate.

Enjoy Whisky, Convalmore, 31y, 46.9% ABV

Distilled 15.10.1975 bottled 14.11.2006

Cask 2570, bottle 21 of 268

Typical cost of this bottle; Unknown

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Very pale yellow

Nose: Clean and fresh with some mild herbal notes. Then offering some suggestions of banana skin. More fruitiness develops after more time in the glass but this time suggesting raspberries or even blueberries. Definitely suggesting a fruit trifle but lacking the custard and cream.

Palate: Very much a continuation from the nose with plenty of that berry-style fruitiness and lots of intensity.

Finish: Long with some lovely light pepperiness.

Overall Impression: Love the fruitiness and peppery finish. Very nice whisky.