Lowland single malts explained

Lowland single malts are single malt whiskies distilled in Scotland's lowlands. The region is home to distilleries such as: Annandale Distillery in Annan; Auchentoshan near Clydebank; Bladnoch in Galloway; Daftmill in Fife; The Girvan Distilleries near Girvan; and Glenkinchie distillery near Edinburgh.

Several new distilleries have begun to produce new-make spirit in recent years, including Kingsbarns,[1] InchDairnie[2] and Lindores Abbey, all in Fife,[3] and at Ardgowan.[4]

At least six other lowland single malts are still available, but are no longer distilled: Rosebank (currently undergoing revival[5]), Kinclaith, St. Magdalene, Ladyburn, Inverleven, and Littlemill.

Lighter flavours

As a region, the Lowlands have been more strongly associated with grain whisky and blended whisky than malt whisky. Blended whisky often uses a high proportion of Lowland malt, as the less intense flavour profile means it does not dominate the other constituent whiskies.[6]

In terms of Lowlands whisky flavour, the character of the malt often comes through strongly, with a soft body, according to another report.[7] Traditionally the barley used has been unpeated, possibly because the Lowlands, East Lothian in particular, had a strong coal-mining industry.[8] Another review states that most of the region's whiskies tend to be "lighter and grassier" without the "smoky" flavour produced by peat.[9]

However, in recent years lowland distilleries such as Ailsa Bay and Annandale have become characterised by their use of peat, with a flavor profile more typical of Islay whiskey.[10]

According to an August 2019 report, Auchentoshan is the region's only distillery still making whisky that is triple distilled which leads to "an edge of citrus flavour".[11]

Legal status

The distinction between the Lowlands and the Highlands was originally drawn by the 1784 Wash Act. Highland distilleries were taxed based upon the size of their still; Lowland distilleries were taxed per gallon in the wash.[12] This led to outrage from Lowland distillers over their comparably high duty rates.[13]

Today the term Lowland is a "protected locality" for Scotch Whisky distilling under UK Government legislation.[14] The modern Lowland–Highland line is drawn by the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 as follows:

This line is distinct from the geological Highland Fault line to the north. If the geological line were used, several Highland distilleries would become Lowland ones, including Loch Lomond and Fettercairn.[15] According to Visit Scotland, the Lowlands region covers "much of the Central Belt and the South of Scotland including Edinburgh & The Lothians, Glasgow & The Clyde Valley, the Kingdom of Fife, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders". There were 18 distilleries in the region as of 2019, including some that opened quite recently, such as Lindores Abbey Distillery, Clydeside Distillery and Glasgow Distillery Company. [16]

List of Lowland single malt distilleries

Active

In development

Closed or demolished

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. News: New Kingsbarns Distillery officially opens in Fife. 2014-12-01. The Scotsman. 3 March 2017.
  2. News: New Fife distillery InchDairnie opens its doors. Hamilton. James. 2016-05-18. The National. 3 March 2017.
  3. News: New whisky distillery built at historic Lindores Abbey. 2016-07-19. BBC News. 3 March 2017.
  4. News: Ardgowan whisky distillery plans approved. 2017-03-02. BBC News. 7 March 2017.
  5. Web site: Rosebank Distillery set to reopen. scotchwhisky.com. 1 November 2018.
  6. Book: Russell . Inge . Whisky : Technology, Production and Marketing . Academic Press . 978-0-12-669202-0 . 234. 2003-08-28 .
  7. Web site: Scotch Whisky Regions. Diffords Guide. 2 November 2018.
  8. Book: Bathgate . George N. . Russell . Inge . Whisky : Technology, Production and Marketing . Academic Press . 978-0-12-669202-0 . 8. 2003-08-28 .
  9. https://manofmany.com/lifestyle/drinks/guide-to-scotland-whisky-regions?amp A Comprehensive Guide to Scotland’s Whisky Regions
  10. Web site: William Grant ups peated presence with Ailsa Bay. 12 February 2016. The Spirits Business. 2 November 2018.
  11. https://manofmany.com/lifestyle/drinks/guide-to-scotland-whisky-regions?amp A Comprehensive Guide to Scotland’s Whisky Regions
  12. Web site: The Wash Act, 1823. Edinburgh University. 1 November 2018.
  13. Web site: Acts of Parliament. Kennetpans. 2 November 2018.
  14. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/2890/contents/made Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, Section 10: Locality and region geographical indications
  15. Web site: Laws of Scotch labelling. scotchwhisky.com. 2 November 2018.
  16. https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/distilleries/lowland/ Whisky Distilleries in the Lowlands
  17. News: Borders Distillery opens to the public in Hawick. BBC News. May 2018. 1 November 2018.
  18. News: New whisky distillery opens in Glasgow. BBC News. 23 November 2017. 21 February 2018.
  19. Web site: Eden Mill's First Single Malt Whisky Breaks A New World Record. Forbes. 1 November 2018.
  20. News: New distillery opens at Lindores Abbey in Fife. BBC News. 6 October 2017. 21 February 2018.
  21. Web site: Lochlea Distillery Launches Its First Core Single Malt Whisky . 27 July 2022 .
  22. Web site: Crabbie's owner plans Edinburgh distillery . 1 November 2018 . scotchwhisky.com.
  23. Web site: Scotch Whisky distilleries to open in 2018. scotchwhisky.com. 1 November 2018.
  24. News: Glasgow whisky distillery to be called The Clutha. BBC News. 27 August 2018. 1 November 2018.
  25. Web site: Distillery due to open this year bringing jobs boost. The Falkirk Herald. 1 November 2018.
  26. News: Investors raise £5.8m for whisky distillery in Edinburgh. BBC News. 13 April 2018. 1 November 2018.
  27. Web site: InchDairnie - Scotch Whisky. 8 December 2016.
  28. Web site: Port of Leith distillery could 'resurrect' whisky-making heritage. The Scotsman. 1 November 2018.
  29. Web site: Inverleven. Malt Madness. 2 November 2018.
  30. Web site: 8 of Scotland's most famous lost whisky distilleries. 28 July 2015. The Scotsman. 2 November 2018.
  31. Web site: Littlemill. SMWS. 2 November 2018.
  32. Web site: Chance to explore former site of iconic Edinburgh distillery. 6 May 2015. Deadline News. 2 November 2018.
  33. Web site: 8 of Scotland's most famous lost whisky distilleries. 28 July 2015. The Scotsman. 2 November 2018.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Lowland single malts".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.