When the London Distillery Company (TLDC) first appeared in 2011, it carried with it a sense of promise. It was the first whisky distillery to operate in the capital since the 1800s, and one of the earliest players in what would become the English whisky renaissance. But for all its ambition and early acclaim, TLDC never quite fulfilled its potential. Dogged by financial difficulties and changes in ownership, it became one of modern English whisky's great "what-ifs."
Now, more than a decade after its revival and several years after its quiet disappearance, TLDC is back. Or rather, it is being brought back — patiently, deliberately, and with a clear sense of purpose — by Matt McKay. Known for his work at Bimber and Dunphail, McKay has taken the helm of the brand under the stewardship of Gleann Mòr Spirits, aiming not only to honour what came before, but to shape a compelling future.
With the first release from the revived TLDC set to arrive in early June, handled exclusively through Berry Bros & Rudd in London, McKay spoke to Whisky Magazine exclusively to discuss the past, present, and future of one of English whisky's most intriguing lost names.
"There’s a certain romance in reviving something that was nearly lost," says McKay. "You hear about ghost distilleries all the time in Scotland — this is London’s version. TLDC had a fair roll of the dice. It was one of the first of the new-wave distilleries in England, and absolutely the first in London. Yet it barely had a chance to show the world what it was capable of."
It’s that sense of unfinished business that drew McKay to the project. Unlike his previous roles, where he helped build new distilleries from the ground up, here the task is both curatorial and creative: to take inherited stock, inherited stories, and inherited ambitions — and craft them into something relevant for today.
"I see myself as the guardian of these legacy casks," he says. "I didn’t make them, but I can shape them. And I can tell their story."
The original iteration of TLDC made waves with its early use of heritage barley grains, its commitment to organic British rye, and its embrace of small-scale, high-quality production. But commercial missteps — most infamously, the eye-watering price tag of its inaugural rye release — alienated would-be customers. The business eventually passed through various hands, including a brief tenure under British Honey, before settling under Gleann Mòr Spirits around 2023.
"Everything changes," says McKay. "And in the whisky world, that change has accelerated dramatically in the last five years. TLDC came before the boom in craft spirits. They were preaching a message of heritage, small batch, and provenance before the market was ready to hear it. Now that message is much more in tune with where drinkers are."
In other words, the brand may have been ahead of its time.
The first release under McKay’s leadership draws from what he calls the "legacy casks" — stock laid down during TLDC’s original operations. Around 70 casks remain, ranging from 20-litre tubs to full-size 200-litre barrels, with a mix of American oak, English oak, and various sherry-seasoned casks.
"Some of these casks are over 10 years old now. That gives us a totally different proposition to what was previously released," McKay explains. "The earlier bottlings were young, three years old. Now we’re talking proper maturation."
McKay is candid about the condition of the stock he inherited. "Some of it had been sitting, not unloved, but certainly uncared for. It’s my job to assess it, rescue what’s great, and shape it for modern drinkers."
One of his priorities has been showcasing the underlying character of the spirit, which was originally distilled using heritage barley and heirloom grains. Despite not having operated the original stills (Matilda, a 650-litre copper pot still, was a key part of TLDC’s kit), McKay says the spirit’s DNA is unmistakable.
"It’s barley-forward, with real depth and texture. It doesn’t taste like any other English whisky. In a sea of long-fermentation, fruit-driven styles, TLDC’s flavour profile stands apart. It’s heirloom, it’s heritage, and it tastes like it."
While respecting the original spirit, McKay is also keen to add his own signature. The new releases will feature a range of cask influences — not just the sherry and bourbon barrels traditionally used, but some more experimental elements he’s not ready to reveal just yet.
"I like surprises," he smiles. "I want people to experience the breadth of what TLDC can be. The releases coming this year are only the start. We’re already working on 2025’s casks and flavour profiles."
That forward momentum also includes conversations about a potential new distillery. Nothing is confirmed, but McKay is open about the long-term vision. "The goal is to get back to distilling," he confirms. "This isn’t a one-off tribute or a limited reissue. We’re reintroducing the brand and building towards something new."
He sees an opportunity for TLDC to be more than a name on a label — to be a creative force within English whisky.
"There are a lot of great distilleries in England now. What makes us different is that we’re not just starting. We have roots. We have history. And we have whisky that tastes like no one else’s."
With nearly 50 English distilleries now active, standing out is no small task. McKay believes TLDC has two key advantages: its history and its flavour. "This isn’t just a revival of a brand. It’s a revival of a distilling philosophy — one that prioritised flavour before it was fashionable. That’s something I want to preserve."
But he’s also learned from the past. The price point of the upcoming release will be much more accessible than TLDC’s original rye — something McKay sees as essential.
"We’re not here to make collectors’ items. We’re here to make whisky people want to drink."
The first release will be available in early June via Berry Bros & Rudd. While pricing is still being finalised at the time of writing, McKay promises it will reflect the quality of the spirit.
"We’re not repeating that mistake," he says, referencing the earlier release’s prohibitive price. "This is a whisky to be enjoyed, not just admired."
So, who is the audience for the revived London Distillery Company?
"I think it appeals on multiple levels," McKay says. "If you’re a whisky geek, this is a window into the roots of English whisky. If you’re from London, it’s a piece of your city’s distilling history brought back to life. And if you’re just someone who loves flavour-forward whisky, it delivers on that too."
It’s a broad but intentional appeal — one that reflects McKay’s hope for TLDC’s place in the contemporary scene. "We’re not just looking to the past. We’re building something that can stand in today’s market and help define tomorrow’s."
As McKay prepares for the launch of the first bottling, he’s balancing the demands of heritage and innovation. That means preserving the best of the original spirit while introducing new ideas — and eventually, hopefully, a new home for the distillery.
"TLDC was an idea that never got fully realised," he says. "This is our chance to do it right."
In the coming weeks, more details will emerge about the release — including pricing, full cask details, and availability — but for now, the message is clear: the London Distillery Company is no longer a ghost.
It’s back. And this time, it has something to say.
For more information and updates, visit the London Distillery Company’s website or Berry Bros & Rudd online store.
