Glenkinchie

Glenkinchie is one of two Lowland distilleries left in production. Local farmers John and George Rate were to become the first recorded licence holders in 1837. They ceased production at Glenkinchie in 1853 but the premises were opened again in 1890 when a consortium of wine merchants and blenders from Edinburgh and Leith reformed the Glenkinchie Distillery Co. Ltd. Glenkinchie was rebuilt as the model Victorian distillery village – with its distinctive red brick buildings, houses for workers and a bowling green. Six wooden washbacks are used for fermentation, two made from Oregon Pine and four from Canadian Larch. Glenkinchie’s two fat old copper pot stills are a distinctive feature, they are among the largest in the industry. A single cast-iron worm tub cools the spirit, in preference to a more modern condenser.