Banff 1974 Connoisseurs Choice (1998)

Originally established as the Mill of Banff Distillery by Major James McKilligan in 1824 at Mains of Colleonard Farm, just south of Banff, this early site closed in 1863 when Simpson’s son built a new distillery at Inverboyndie—later known as Banff Distillery. Although Banff played a notable role in Scotland’s Highland malt whisky tradition, it ceased operations in 1983, was partially demolished in 1985, and suffered further destruction in a 1991 fire. As a result, Banff now ranks among Scotland’s lost distilleries, with remaining casks and bottlings—such as those in the Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old series—highly coveted by whisky collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.