As of this writing, there are at the moment round 150 energetic distilleries in Scotland. That is nice information as a result of the final time I spoke of the subject I’m about to cowl as we speak, that quantity was round 115. As you may most likely inform from the title, as we speak I’m going to be taking a look at what’s identified within the whisky business as ‘silent distilleries.’
A silent distillery, often known as a ‘ghost distillery’ or a ‘mothballed distillery’, is one which is not operational. A few of these distilleries are briefly closed for extended durations of time, whereas others could tragically be demolished. When this occurs, it’s a tragic day within the whisky world and it’s one thing that no true whisky lover ever desires to see.
Since I final wrote of Scotland’s silent distilleries, so much has modified, with a number of distilleries on my record, together with Rosebank and Islay’s iconic Port Ellen, firing up the stills and changing into energetic as soon as once more. However which distilleries nonetheless lay dormant, ready to hopefully awaken and produce beautiful whisky as soon as extra?
Listed here are 4 of Scotland’s most iconic and influential silent (as of this writing) distilleries.
I can’t assist however really feel slightly emotional as I write this. Littlemill distillery was confirmed to formally be Scotland’s very first and due to this fact oldest licenced distillery.
The distillery was perched proper upon the picturesque border of the Highlands and Lowlands. Due to this, there have been some discrepancies concerning which area the whisky can be related to. Littlemill, nevertheless, determined they’d be lowlands residents.
Individuals are not sure about precisely when whisky manufacturing first began on-site, however we do know that it was bought by Archibal Buchanan, from his brother Andrew, in 1750. There was additionally a date stone discovered on one of many gable ends of one of many warehouses, with the date 1772 etched into it.
The distillery modified palms a number of instances over the following two centuries, earlier than sadly being mothballed in 1994 after being offered to Loch Lomond Distillery. In 1997 it was dismantled earlier than what was left of the distillery was tragically destroyed in a hearth in 2004.
A housing improvement now sits upon the location of this once-iconic distillery.
Picture Credit score: Littlemill Distillery
Whereas Littlemill’s story was slightly too sombre for my liking, the story of the following distillery on the record as we speak is rather more inspiring.
Dallas Dhu distillery was constructed again in 1898. Constructed by Alexander Edward, its title in Gaelic means ‘Black Water Valley’. Initially, the distillery was generally known as ‘Dallasmore.’ After Edward offered it to Wright & Greig Ltd in 1899, it was renamed as ‘Dallas Dhu’.
The distillery would change palms a number of instances over the following century, and it too, was broken by hearth in 1939. This, together with the Second World Conflict, meant that the location didn’t re-open till 1947.
Because the years glided by, stress on the distillery mounted. Within the Eighties, the poor state of the financial system, in addition to the unreliability of the water provide, meant that the location was pressured to shut in 1983, earlier than having its licence revoked a decade later.
In 1988, the location re-opened as a museum. The final time I spoke of Dallas Dhu, I discussed how there have been rumours of the distillery re-opening. Nicely, the excellent news is that, in July 2024, it was confirmed that these rumours had been true, and that the distillery would as soon as once more re-open, this time beneath the administration of Aceo Distillers Firm. Can’t await that!
Picture Credit score: Dallas Dhu Distillery
Stromness
Often known as ‘Man o’ Hoy, Stromness distillery was based again in 1817 and was operational for greater than a century.
Thought of considered one of Orkney’s most iconic distilleries, it helped pave the way in which for single malts in Scotland. On the time, Stromness was distinctive in that it produced and bottled single malts. This was uncommon as blends had been sometimes extra widespread and extra fashionable.
Initially, the model was generally known as ‘Man o’ Hoy as a tribute to considered one of Orkney’s most illustrious landmarks ‘The Outdated Man of Hoy’, which is a 449-foot sea stack situated simply off the coast of Hoy.
Sadly, in 1928 the distillery was pressured to shut, although J&J McConnell would bottle the remaining shares till effectively into the mid-Nineteen Thirties.
Picture Credit score: Dallas Dhu Distillery
Kinclaith Distillery
Based in 1957 by Strathclyde & Lengthy John Distilleries Ltd, the distillery opened in 1958. It might, nevertheless, be one of many shortest-tenured distilleries within the historical past of whisky distillation. That’s as a result of, in 1975, it was completely closed because of mismanagement. The location was dismantled in 1977.
Kinclaith could have solely been operational for lower than twenty years, however the single malt produced there was mentioned to be distinctive. Proper now, inventory, each casked and bottled, just isn’t solely uncommon, however extremely collectible and is alleged to be very priceless.
Chivas Brothers now personal the model, with bottles costing, on common, between $1,500 and $4,000. So, in the event you’ve a bottle in your assortment, you would possibly wish to maintain off on popping the cap simply but.
Picture Credit score: Whisky.com
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The submit The Sound of Silence – Scotland’s Silent Distilleries appeared first on GreatDrams.
