The Distillery at Coleburn, a historic Speyside site currently undergoing revival, has launched its first whisky collection, named Local Heros. This inaugural batch features three blended malts designed to celebrate the Scotch whisky community and prelude the site’s transformation into a world-class whisky resort.
The core trilogy comprises ‘Sweet Peat’, ‘Big Smoke’, and ‘Sherry Bomb’, with each expression bottled at the distillery’s historic location.
These whiskies are intended as an approachable gateway into the ongoing Local Heros collection and the wider Coleburn brand.
Coleburn Distillery was originally founded in 1897 and operated for nearly a century before being mothballed in 1985 during a period of industry-wide overproduction. Its revival places it among a number of celebrated “ghost” distilleries, such as Brora and Rosebank, that have been brought back into production in recent years.
The first release, Sherry Bomb, is a 46% ABV whisky matured in Oloroso and refill casks. According to official notes from the brand, it has aromas of spice, honey, and red apple, with a palate of dried fruit, hazelnut, and stewed plums.
Sweet Peat (46% ABV) is positioned as a gentle introduction to smoky whisky. Its official tasting notes include caramel, vanilla, and plum pudding on the nose, with honey, pear drops, and light smoke on the palate.
The third bottling, Big Smoke, is the boldest expression in the initial release, also bottled at 46% ABV. The brand’s notes state it has aromas of cherry and vanilla with coastal hints, leading to a palate of medicinal smoke, banana, and sea salt.
Keith Cruickshank, Master Distiller at Coleburn, explained the philosophy behind the collection.
Trending Content
“Local Heros is about more than whisky; it is about the people and the landscapes that have created something extraordinary,” he said. “From the craftspeople who keep traditions alive, to the communities that have shaped Scotland’s whisky story, this collection is a celebration of collaboration, legacy and place.”
Cruickshank added: “With Sweet Peat, Big Smoke and Sherry Bomb, we wanted to create whiskies that are approachable yet full of character, welcoming drinkers into Coleburn’s new chapter.”
The name of the collection pays tribute to the individuals and communities who have shaped Scotland’s whisky history.
It also holds a personal connection for the distillery site’s co-owners, Mark and Dale Winchester, who made a brief appearance in the 1983 film Local Hero.
Mark Winchester, co-owner of Coleburn, elaborated on the connection.
“The name Local Heros resonates with us personally,” Winchester said. “Back in 1983, Dale and I had the privilege of recording the soundtrack and appearing in the film Local Hero which was a profound personal moment for us as we experienced in a surreal way what Scotland and indeed whisky means to the world, a strong identity and community spirit, storytelling and togetherness and of course pride and celebration.”
He continued: “These are the values that we want to convey in the spirit collection that now carries the Local Hero name.”
This launch follows the appointment of Cruickshank and the specialist design firm Organic Architects to lead the site’s redevelopment.
The long-term vision for the Speyside location is to create a full-scale whisky resort, complete with whisky lodges and a visitor bistro.
The Local Heros Batch 1 collection is now available for purchase.
Pricing ranges from approximately £50 to $70 £55. The whiskies can be bought via the brand’s official shop and on Amazon.
