Wind the clock again to the early Nineteen Nineties and there have been solely two malt whisky distilleries left within the Lowlands of Scotland. Auchentoshan sat in Clydebank, to the northwest of Glasgow, whereas Glenkinchie lay past Edinburgh in East Lothian.
Then, one thing magical occurred. Having yo-yoed between being open and closed for 200 years, Bladnoch distillery in Galloway returned to manufacturing. It was adopted by a raft of web sites being arrange or revived all through the Borders, the Central Belt, Dumfries & Galloway and Fife.
The story of the Lowlands mirrors the story of distilling’s revival all through Scotland, with the affect of the craft scene from the US hopping throughout the pond. An business dominated by large firms with large manufacturers was out of the blue joined by entrepreneurs with new methods of pondering.
What makes the Lowlands so thrilling?
A part of that revival story was triggered by the gin renaissance. Out of the blue, distilleries may produce a well-liked white spirit at some point and promote it the subsequent, producing revenue whereas they waited for his or her whiskies to mature.
Vodka and even rum adopted, with some distilleries concentrating solely on white spirits, whereas others stored their eyes targeted on the final word holy grail of single malt. A number of bottlers additionally took the chance to create whiskies blended from different distilleries to assist usher in money to finance their very own websites.
What makes the Lowland revival so necessary although is its selection. In addition to arising in additional conventional rural places, the new wave of distilleries has additionally seen single malt crops returning to Scotland’s cities. These embody Clydeside and Glasgow at one finish of the M8 motorway, and Crabbie’s Bonnington, Holyrood and Port of Leith’s vertical distillery in Edinburgh.
The place are the Lowlands?
Draw an imaginary line alongside the Firth of Tay on Scotland’s east coast, which separates Dundee to the north from Fife to the south. Then lengthen that line southwest till you attain the Firth of Clyde (to the northwest of Glasgow). Now you’ve obtained the cut up between the Highlands and the Lowlands.
That whisky line nearly follows the real-life Highland boundary fault line. This geographic step-change within the rock sorts mendacity under Scotland’s floor begins additional up the east coast at Stonehaven. Arbikie, Glengoyne and Loch Lomond distilleries sit within the Lowlands geographically, but within the Highlands underneath whisky rules.
Edinburgh and Glasgow now each boast single malt distilleries as soon as extra, to enhance their large grain crops. Nevertheless the Kingdom of Fife – situated on the alternative financial institution of the Firth of Forth from the Scottish capital – is maybe probably the most thrilling a part of the Lowlands. It’s residence to Aberargie, Daftmill, Eden Mill, Kingsbarns, InchDairnie and Lindores Abbey, the place the primary file of whisky originated in 1494.
Whisky barrel at Glenkinchie Distillery
What are probably the most well-known distilleries within the Lowlands?
Given its proximity to Edinburgh, Glenkinchie has been a stalwart on the vacationer path for generations. In the meantime Auchentoshan is legendary for triple – quite than double – distilling its Scotch. Additional south, Annandale and Bladnoch have gathered followers, whereas Lochlea launched its first malt this spring. In years to come back, look out for whiskies from The Borders, Falkirk and Raer’s Jackton distilleries.
The Lowlands can be residence to a few of the most well-known silent or ghost distilleries. Bottles of Littlemill and Rosebank nonetheless seem at public sale or from specialists, with costs to match their rarity. In an uncommon twist, a kind of closed websites, Rosebank, is now within the strategy of reopening.
Whereas Scotland’s 5 whisky areas cowl single malts, the Lowlands additionally sits on the coronary heart of grain whisky manufacturing. Diageo’s large Cameronbridge distillery in Fife not solely makes elements for Bell’s and Johnnie Walker but additionally Gordon’s gin and Smirnoff vodka, whereas Edinburgh homes the North British and Glasgow is residence to Strathclyde. Girvan continues the lengthy custom of getting malt distilleries hidden away inside grain crops by internet hosting Ailsa Bay.
What does Lowland whisky style like?
Flick by means of the pages of most espresso desk whisky books they usually’ll inform you that Lowland malts are mild and floral, making them best aperitifs. That city delusion is extra all the way down to advertising and marketing than historical past.
It’s true that Glenkinchie and, to some extent, Auchentoshan could be categorised as lighter and smoother. However in Victorian instances most whisky from the Lowlands would have been peated – particularly on the west coast – as peat would have been burned to malt the barley.
These days, the range of distilleries is mirrored within the variety of types. They vary from peated malts from Annandale and Glasgow by means of to fruitier examples in Fife. Simply as within the Highlands, it’s unlikely {that a} single model will emerge from among the many Lowlands’ new wave of progressive distilleries.
Which Lowland whiskies ought to I attempt?
Peter Ranscombe recommends 4 traditional Lowland bottles to hunt out
Auchentoshan American Oak Lowland Single Malt Scotch
Auchentoshen’s entry-level, triple-distilled whisky spends its whole life in first-fill bourbon casks. A candy nostril, stuffed with vanilla and coconut, with notes of walnut and biscuit touchdown on the palate. There’s a deliciously oily smoothness to the feel. Alcohol 40%
Bladnoch Alinta Lowland Single Malt Scotch
A peated Scotch, aged in a mixture of bourbon and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks. That mixture produces a captivating mixture of candy and smoky, stretching from lemon curd and roast meat on the nostril by means of to tangy barbecue sauce on the tongue. Alc 47%
Glenkinchie 12-year-old Lowland Single Malt Scotch
A real benchmark Lowland single malt. Fragrant peach, apricot, spun sugar and runny honey lead into richer heather honey, fudge and vanilla on the palate. A a lot deeper flavour profile than its mild color suggests. Alc 43%
Kingsbarns Distillery Reserve Lowland Single Malt Scotch
Made utilizing barley grown in Fife, this Scotch was matured in a mix of 60% first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and 40% shaved, toasted and re-charred (STR) crimson wine barriques. Fruity banana and pineapple notes shimmer amid its richer honey and vanilla depth. Alc 61.8%
