The First Drops 25 year old is the very first whisky distilled at Kininvie, filled into an ex-bourbon hogshead named Cask 21 on the first day of the distillery’s operation and bottled twenty five years later. Fruity, spicy, cask strength and non chill filtered, this is a truly historic bottling of just five hundred 35cl bottles.
Owned by William Grant & Sons, who also own Glenfiddich and Balvenie, the Speyside distillery Kininvie is located in Dufftown. It was opened on 5 July 1990 by Janet Sheed Robert, William Grant’s granddaughter who lived to almost 111 years old. Kept rather secret by William Grant & Sons, it has long been used as a component of the premium blended malt Scotch whisky Monkey Shoulder, the other components coming from Balvenie and Glenfiddich. Dave Broom says: “stylistically the [Kininvie] whisky is a midpoint between its two sisters…. on the floral side of the spectrum... yet it is substantially different from its siblings.”
One of the youngest and most intriguing distilleries in Scotland, Kininvie sits on the grounds of Balvenie and shares a mash house (complete with dedicated mash tun and washbacks) with its neighbour. Water is drawn from the Conval Hills, the still shapes are similar to Glenfiddich’s and Kininvie’s distillery manager says: “We have cherished and nurtured these casks since 1990 knowing they contained incredible whisky. Now the time is right to share the first drops of our history.”
All previous releases from the distillery (including those under the Hazelwood name) have sold out immediately. Having been lucky enough to taste this historic single malt, we fully expect it to follow suit...

WHAT ARE 'IMMEDIATE' WINES?
These are immediately available wines are held in our temperature-controlled cellars at London City Bond. These listings are predominantly comprised from private collectors who sell through our marketplace. All immediately available stock is ready for delivery once payment has been settled. We offer next day delivery to all London addresses, so long as payment has been settled by midday. For other UK addresses delivery is typically within one week. Please email our Customer Services Team, who will provide an accurate date and time for delivery.
All of the wines have been rigorously checked by our warehouse staff and condition reports, including photographs, are available on request.
Please note, if your order contains 'immediate' and 'marketplace' wines, these will be delivered together.
WHAT ARE 'MARKETPLACE' WINES?
The majority of the wines we list are sourced from the market. This includes direct from growers, exclusive distributors and agents and European Trade stockholders.
The typical lead time for consolidation, shipping and arrival into our cellars from confirmed order is approximately 6 to 8 weeks.