The Black Bottle blend have roots all the way back to 1879. Originally bottled by the tea merchant family Graham from Aberdeen.

Acquired by Highland Distillers Ltd in 1995 and given an Islay composition. They became part of the Edrington Group in 1999.

In 2013 the decision was made to tone down the Islay influence and bring it more back to what was believed to be the original East Highland style of Aberdeenshire.