Convalmore 32 Year Old 1984 Special Releases 2017 48.2% 70cl

Convalmore is one of Speyside’s long-lost single malt distilleries, remembered today for its rare and highly sought-after bottlings that showcase a distinctive, elegant style of whisky from a bygone era. Founded in 1893 on the outskirts of Dufftown, the town often called “the malt whisky capital of the world”, Convalmore operated for nearly a century before closing in 1985. Its surviving stocks are limited, making each release a valuable piece of Scotch history.

The distillery was built during a whisky boom at the end of the 19th century, part of a wave of new Speyside producers meeting rising demand for malt whisky in blends. Convalmore’s name comes from the nearby Conval Hills, and its location provided access to the River Fiddich’s pure water supply, a key factor in its spirit character.

In its early years, Convalmore experimented with different production methods. Most notably, between 1909 and 1915, it used the “continuous pot still” system, a hybrid still designed to combine the quality of pot still spirit with the efficiency of continuous distillation. While innovative, the method was eventually abandoned in favour of traditional copper pot stills, which better suited the demands of blenders and single malt quality.

Convalmore was known for producing a fruity, subtly waxy, and gently spicy style of spirit. The long fermentations encouraged bright orchard fruit and floral notes, while the still shape and distillation cut points contributed to a slightly oily texture. Most of its output went into blends, meaning official single malt bottlings were extremely rare during the distillery’s lifetime.

Ownership changed hands several times, from the Convalmore-Glenlivet Distillery Co. to W.P. Lowrie & Co., and later to Distillers Company Limited (DCL), the predecessor of Diageo. By the 1980s, a surplus of whisky stock and changing blending requirements led to Convalmore’s closure in 1985. The site was sold to William Grant & Sons, who used the warehouses for maturing Glenfiddich and Balvenie, but distillation never resumed.

Today, the remaining Convalmore casks are finite and closely guarded. Occasional official releases, such as the Convalmore 1977 in Diageo’s Special Releases series, have been met with enthusiasm from collectors and connoisseurs. Independent bottlers — including Gordon & MacPhail, Cadenhead’s, and Signatory Vintage — have also offered small numbers of Convalmore single casks over the years, often from spirit distilled in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Because production ceased nearly four decades ago, each Convalmore release is a snapshot of Speyside whisky-making traditions that no longer exist. Collectors value these bottlings not only for their flavour but also for their historical significance.

Our Convalmore selection, when available, features both rare official releases and independent bottlings, each offering a chance to taste the spirit of a lost distillery. Whether you’re adding to a collection or seeking an extraordinary dram, Convalmore delivers a refined and evocative expression of classic Speyside character, one that will never be made again.