Clydeside distillery

Summary

Clydeside distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery in Glasgow, Scotland.[1][2][3] When production began in 2017, Clydeside was the first active distillery in Glasgow city centre for over 100 years.[4]

Clydeside distillery
Region: Lowland
LocationGlasgow
OwnerMorrison Glasgow Distillers
Founded2017
Water sourceLoch Katrine
No. of stills1 wash still
1 spirit still
Capacity500,000 L

Location edit

The distillery is at a quayside on the River Clyde in Glasgow which was formerly the entrance to the Queen's Dock, with the SEC Centre (built on the infilled dock in the 1980s) a short distance to the east.[1][4][5] Although in a fairly isolated location due to the river directly to the west and south, and infrastructure (the SEC car park and the A814 Clydeside Expressway and Argyle Line railway tracks) to the north and east, a footbridge over the road and under the railway provides pedestrian access to the Kelvinhaugh and Yorkhill neighbourhoods including the nearby SWG3 arts and events venue. Vehicle access from either direction is via Stobcross Road which connects to the Expressway at the Finnieston (SEC Centre / Clyde Arc Bridge) and Pointhouse (Partick / Riverside Museum) exits.

Water used during production is sourced from Loch Katrine in the nearby Trossachs area.[1]

History edit

Construction of the distillery began in 2016 under the building and civil engineering company McLaughlin & Harvey.[6] The distillery opened in November 2017 following a £10.5 million refurbishment of the old dock pumphouse (built in 1877).[1][7] The pump house historically controlled the level of water allowing arrival or departure into the dock.[8] The distillery filled its first casks in December 2017.[9]

The distillery is primarily owned by Tim Morrison of Morrison Glasgow Distillers, who is the great-grandson of John Morrison, who built the Queens' Dock and Pump House on the River Clyde in the 19th century where the distillery is now located.[9][4][5] The Morrison family was previously owners of Morrison Bowmore until selling to Beam Suntory in 1994.[8] The operations director is Andrew Morrison, son of the principal owner.[8] The distillery manager is Alistair McDonald who was the former distillery manager of the Auchentoshan distillery.[10][11]

In 2020, the distillery was awarded Whisky Distillery of the Year in the annual Scottish Whisky Awards.[12]

Facilities edit

The distillery offers interactive tours and there is a shop and café for visitors.[7] The distillery had the capacity to produce up to 500,000 litres of spirit each year.[7] The distillery has two Forsyth-made stills, each weighing approximately two tonnes.[13]

Products edit

The distillery produces a Lowland style single malt.[3]

55°51′45″N 4°17′49″W / 55.862364°N 4.296986°W / 55.862364; -4.296986

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Ridley, Neil (2019). The World of Whisky. Pavilion. ISBN 978-1911624639.
  2. ^ Wishart, David (2020). Whisky Classified. Choosing Single Malts by Flavour. Pavilion Books. ISBN 978-1911595731.
  3. ^ a b "Clydeside". Scotch Whisky.com. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Whisky production returns to Clydeside after over a century". The Scotsman. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Clydeside Distillery". Whisky Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Work starts on £10.5m distillery on banks of the Clyde". Scottish Construction Now. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Clydeside Distillery Opens in Glasgow". Scotch Whisky.com. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Monday Interview: The distiller taking Glasgow's past into the future". The Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow fills its first casks". Insider. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Clydeside Appoints Distillery Manager". Scotch Whisky.com. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Can you make whisky in just 24 hours?". BBC News. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Glasgow Distillery wins top honour in whisky awards". Daily Business. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Glasgow's Clydeside Distillery nears completion". The Spirits Business. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2021.

External links edit

  • Official website