Search
Close this search box.

Scotch’s Spiritual Home Distills its First Whisky in a Long Time

Way back in 1494, so the story goes, the Lindores Abbey in Scotland made a type of whisky that’s said to be the spiritual forefather of Scotch as we know it today. The abbey itself has long since fallen into ruin, becoming something of a footnote in whisky history. That was, at least, until last year, when an enterprising couple took it upon themselves to begin building a distillery next to the ancient site. Called Lindores Abbey Distillery, it recently opened and began distilling what will ultimately be whisky.

Lindores Abbey Distillery Manager Gary Haggart recently had the honor of taking the first cut of spirits from the distillery’s three unique stills. It was placed in ex-Woodford Reserve and Old Forester bourbon barrels from Kentucky, and forms the starting point of what will eventually be the equivalent of 150,000 produced liters of spirit a year.

Given that it will take at least three years for this spirit to mature enough to be called Scotch whisky, one might think the distillery would be producing some kind of white spirit like gin or sourcing other whisky to help keep the lights on. Not entirely the case at Lindores – plans called for producing of a special aqua vitae, initially for sale exclusively at their visitor center. Taking what is said to be “inspiration from the provenance of the original brewing and agriculture of the Abbey grounds,” the spirit will contain herbs and spices which would have grown on this site in 1494.

“Distilling the first spirit at Lindores Abbey in more than 500 years is such an honour,” said Haggart in a prepared statement, “and with this innovative and world-class distillery behind me, it’s now the task of the team here to produce a Scotch Whisky worthy of its spiritual home. We’re looking forward to that challenge, using all of the expertise and passion Drew and Helen McKenzie Smith have garnered from across the industry, and it will be our pleasure to welcome whisky pilgrims through our doors to share in the spirit of this unique place.”

Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews