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Q. Hello, I have recently acquired a bottle of Old Guns Finest Scotch Whisky by Low Robertson & Co. Ltd.
Leith, Scotland.
Details on the label are: 100% Scotch Whiskies - Importado Dalla Societa Premiata S. Cobianchi S.P.A.
- Zola Predosa - Bologna.
Now I have seen this bottle featured in several Port Ellen collections, it is also featured with a picture in the book The Port Ellen Single Malt Collector’s Guide by Ralf Bernhard & Hans Georg Wursching.
I would like to know if you could answer why and how this bottle is linked to Port Ellen?
If it’s a blended whisky, what other whiskies are there in the bottle.?
I would also like to know when it was produced and its value. Is it a rare whisky, I have only seen it on a very few occasions.
A.Olsson. Stockholm. Sweden.
A. Old Guns was produced by Low Robertson & Co. Ltd. Leith when they were licence holders of Port Ellen Distillery as part of S.M.D. Scottish Malt Distillers.
It was a blended whisky sold mainly in Italy and Port Ellen was the prominent malt used.
I have a friend who used to drink it and he confirms this. The brand was still around in the early - mid 1980’s but was discontinued following the creation of United Distillers now part of Diageo Distilling Ltd. who do not produce it any more.
I think at auction a bottle of Old Guns in good condition should fetch between £75 to £100.
Q. Hello. How are you, my name is Vernon, and I am writing you in regards to an unopened bottle of I.W.
Harper Kentucky Straight.....
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By John Rose
Section : Whisky Questions
Page number : 31