Cockburn & Co. Pure Malt Whisky, Highlands

Cockburns Pure Highland Malt

The Cockburns Pure Highland Malt is a vintage vatted malt Scotch whisky bottled by Cockburn & Co., likely dating from the 1970s or early 1980s. It’s a rare example of a blended malt (or “vatted malt” as it was called then), composed entirely of single malts from the Highland region—no grain whisky included. While formal tasting notes are limited, we can build a speculative profile based on its style, era, and available reviews:

Speculative Tasting Notes

Appearance: Medium amber with golden highlights, suggesting moderate oak aging and possibly refill sherry cask influence.

Nose: Malty and floral, with notes of honeycomb, dried heather, and toasted oats. Hints of waxed paper, old wood, and a faint citrus zest—evocative of vintage Highland distillate.

Palate: Light to medium-bodied, with flavors of barley sugar, stewed apples, and vanilla fudge. A touch of spice—white pepper and nutmeg—emerges mid-palate, alongside a gentle herbal bitterness. Slight waxiness and a whisper of peat, likely from northern Highland components.

Finish: Soft and fading, with lingering notes of malt biscuit, dried grass, and a faint mineral edge. Slightly drying, with echoes of oak and citrus peel.

Historical Context

Bottled at 40% ABV, typical for export blends of the time.Labeled as “Pure Highland Malt,” indicating a vatting of multiple Highland single malts—possibly including distilleries like Glen Ord, Dalmore, or Teaninich.

Cockburn & Co. was a respected Leith-based blender and merchant, known for both whisky and port. The bottle design and labeling suggest it was aimed at the Italian market, where vatted malts had a niche following.