Gavin D.Smith investigates the lost fortunes of Glasgow’s other distillery.
Littlemill distillery stood on the north bank of the River Clyde at Bowling, 12 miles from Glasgow, and just a short distance from Auchentoshan.
However, the contrast in recent fortunes of the two distilleries could hardly be more different.
While Auchentoshan is a thriving, Lowland malt whisky re...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 70 published on
Gavin D Smith delves into Brora’s past.
Unlike many of the distilleries featured so far in this series, Brora remains externally intact, and looks as though with a little ‘TLC’ it could recommence distilling without too much trouble.Once inside,however it becomes obvious that appearances can be deceptive.
Most of the distilling plant has...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 69 published on 18/01/2008
In the latest in our series Gavin D.Smithtracks down the story behind Glenury Royal
Glenury Royal distillery can claim a number of notable distinctions. For example, it is one of only three Scottish distilleries – along with Lochnagar and Brackla – ever to be granted permission to use the ‘royal’prefix or suffix. Surely, it is also the only distillery to have been constructed by aM...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 68 published on 07/12/2007
Gavin D Smithlooks at the recent loss of Dumbarton,a once vast grain distillery
Just as Scotland’s complement of malt distilleries has shrunk during the past two decades, so has its range of grain facilities.
The historic plants of Carsebridge and Cambus in central Scotland closed in 1983 and 1993 respectively, while the huge Caledonian grain distillery in Edinburgh fell silen...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 67 published on 01/11/2007
In the latest of our series Gavin D Smithlooks at the history behind Convalmore
Some Scottish whisky-producing regions such as the Lowlands and Campbeltown have been decimated over the years, but the malt-making heartland of Speyside has escaped comparatively unscathed. This has much to do with the fact that from the late 19th century onwards, with blended whisky taking the wor...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 66 published on 25/09/2007
In the latest of our series Gavin D Smith looks at the history behind Rosebank
For many aficionados, Rosebank remains the quintessential Lowland single malt, although the distillery stopped producing spirit 14 years ago.
Michael Jackson describes Rosebank as “The finest example of a Lowland malt…” and considers its demise “…a grievous loss.” Overall, time has not been kind to...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 65 published on 20/07/2007
In the latest of our series Gavin D Smith investigates another gem
Until the 1980s, the Highland capital of Inverness boasted three working distilleries, but today two have vanished without trace, while the third survives in the form of a restaurant and bar.
That survivor is Millburn, while Gen Albyn and Glen Mhor are lost beneath the tarmac and concrete of a reta...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 64 published on 01/06/2007
In the latest of our new series,Gavin D Smith delves in to Port Ellen’s past
It is a fair bet that if Whisky Magazine was to conduct a readers’ poll to establish which closed distillery of the past half century represented the greatest loss, Port Ellen would come out very near the top. This is partly due to the continuing passion for all things Islay, but also because Port E...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 63 published on 20/04/2007
In the first of a new series Gavin D. Smithgoes in search of whisky’s lost heritage
The Scotch whisky industry has always been prone to periods of ‘boom’ and ‘bust.’ During the boom times new distilleries have been constructed, while bust has inevitably meant plant closures.
The luckiest of the distilleries which fall silent are later resurrected, and in recent years these have in...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 62 published on 01/03/2007
