Kininvie 1996 17 años Single Malt Whisky

Kininvie (奇富) Single Malt Scotch Whisky represents one of William Grant & Sons' most strategic assets in the premium spirits landscape. Established in 1990 in Dufftown, Speyside, this distillery was purpose-built to produce exceptional single malt for the company's flagship blended malt brand, Monkey Shoulder (marketed as 三只猴子 in Chinese markets). While the brand remained behind the scenes for over two decades, Kininvie has emerged as a distinctive single malt in its own right. Distillery Architecture & Production: Kininvie's highly efficient production facility features a single stillhouse with three copper wash stills and six spirit stills, enabling precise cut control and exceptional spirit character. The 9.6-ton stainless steel full-lauter mash tun mirrors sister distillery Balvenie's specifications, while two dedicated fermentation houses contain ten traditional Douglas fir washbacks with an extended 75-hour fermentation cycle. This prolonged fermentation develops the fruity, ester-rich profile that defines Kininvie's character. Situated adjacent to Balvenie distillery, Kininvie produced approximately 4 million liters of new make spirit in 2019, operating with William Grant's signature craftsmanship. Strategic Market Positioning: The distillery's spirit forms the critical third component in Monkey Shoulder's triumvirate of malts (alongside Glenfiddich and Balvenie), a blend that captured the #1 position in Scotch whisky category in Drink International's 2018 survey of the world's 100 best bars, surpassing even Johnnie Walker. This bartender preference stems from Monkey Shoulder's exceptional versatility in cocktails while maintaining sipping quality—a testament to Kininvie's balanced profile. Product Portfolio Evolution: After years as a blending component, Kininvie debuted as a single malt in 2013 with limited releases in select global markets. The portfolio expanded in late 2015 with two permanent expressions: Kininvie 23 Year Old, matured in a sophisticated combination of bourbon and sherry casks showcasing the distillery's mature character, and a travel retail-exclusive 17 Year Old. The recent maturation of spirit from William Grant's Ailsa Bay distillery (note: not part of Monkey Shoulder blend) demonstrates the company's long-term vision for expanding its single malt inventory, though Kininvie remains the established component in their blended malt strategy.