From the shelf
Everything we have from Black Bottle
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The smokiest blend for the money
Most blends in this price class lean heavily on grain whisky and are light and sweet. Black Bottle does the opposite: almost half is single malt, and the greater part of that comes from Islay, especially from Bunnahabhain, which has the same owner. That makes it strikingly smoky for the money.
We have the standard bottle and the ten-year-old, in which all the whisky has aged for at least ten years. Anyone looking for a smoky bottle to mix with or simply to drink during the week often ends up here. Not sure which one you need? Give us a call. That is what we are here for.
The two bottles
Black Bottle
Blend with an unusually high malt content, most of which comes from Islay. 40%.
€ 22,99
Black Bottle 10 Years Old
All the whisky in this blend is at least ten years old. 40%.
€ 32,99
From black glass to green and back again
- The brand in five moments
- 1879The Graham brothers, tea merchants from Aberdeen, come up with the blend.
- 1914The black bottles from Germany are running out; it will be green glass.
- 1995The recipe revolves entirely around Islay.
- 2013The recipe is being adjusted and the black glass returns.
- 2003Burn Stewart buys the brand, together with Bunnahabhain.
Black Bottle was conceived in 1879 by Charles, David and Gordon Graham, a family of tea merchants from Aberdeen who switched to whisky. They sold their blend in black glass, hence the name. That glass came from Germany, and when supply stopped in 1914 it became green out of necessity. Only in 2013 did the black bottle return, based on a design from 1906.
The recipe has changed considerably over time. In the 1990s, Black Bottle was built almost entirely on Islay malts, with malt from all the island's distilleries. In 2013 that was reversed towards the original north-eastern style, with more Speyside in it. The smoky side remained, and it comes mainly from Bunnahabhain, which has the same owner.
The shape of the bottle is derived from a pot still. Smugglers used to call such a still a ‘black pot’.
Frequently asked questions about Black Bottle
How many Black Bottle does ’t Bockje have in stock?
Two bottles: the standard blend and the ten-year-old. The brand does not currently release more in the Netherlands.
Why does Black Bottle taste smoky?
Because almost half of the blend is single malt and most of that comes from Islay, mainly from Bunnahabhain. Most blends in this price range contain far more grain whisky and are therefore lighter.
What is the difference between the regular and the ten-year-old?
In the ten-year-old, every whisky in the blend has matured for at least ten years. That gives more depth and roundness; the regular bottle is more direct and a little sharper.
Where does the name come from?
From the black glass in which the blend was originally sold. That glass came from Germany and was replaced by green in 1914. In 2013 the black bottle returned.
Does ’t Bockje also ship Black Bottle abroad?
Yes. We ship to around forty countries. Email info@bockje.nl if you want to know whether your country is included.
Order, collect or drop by
- In stock in our shop at Brink 2 in Bathmen
- Available to order online and have delivered, including abroad
- Order online or collect in Bathmen
- Personal advice via 0570 541 278 or info@bockje.nl
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 09.00–18.00, Saturday 09.00–17.00. Closed Monday and Sunday
Wij verkopen geen alcohol aan personen onder de 18 jaar. NIX18.
All 2 bottles at a glance
Each bottle shows the details from the label.
Keep browsing
- Our complete whisky rangeMore than 3,989 different bottles
- All whisky brands we stockFrom Aberfeldy to Yamazaki
- BunnahabhainThe Islay malt in this blend
- Big PeatAlso Islay malts in one bottle
- Ballantine’sAnother classic blend
- Cadenhead’sBottler: the oldest in Scotland, since 1842
- Caol IlaIslay, the largest distillery on the island
- About our wine and spirits shopBrink 2, Bathmen
Brink 2, Bathmen
All our stock is in the shop, not in a warehouse somewhere else. If you walk in with a name you couldn't find anywhere, it is often simply here on the shelf. You can also call: 0570 541 278.
Wij verkopen geen alcohol aan personen onder de 18 jaar. NIX18
- Tuesday to Friday 09.00 – 18.00
- Saturday 09.00 – 17.00
- Monday and Sunday closed