01/28/2025
Two posts in two days... I hope I'm not overwhelming you all. 😂
As mentioned, I was back in Scotland over the festive period for the first time in years! A memory I'll cherish forever would be my four-month-old nephew meeting his 103-year-old great-grandmother for the first time. Four generations in one room, what a magical moment. ♥️
Anywho, for Christmas I'd booked for my Dad and I to visit an awakened giant, Rosebank Whisky! After all, it wouldn't be a trip to Scotland without visiting at least one distillery now, would it? 😉
Set on the banks of the Forth & Clyde canal, in the heart of the Lowlands, Rosebank Distillery was founded by James Rankine in 1840. Its location would later become an invaluable asset, as the canal's infrastructure allowed them to ship their product worldwide, right from their doorstep. In the years following the First World War, Rosebank was acquired by the Distillers Co. and the majority of production was used for creating blended malts. Still, its reputation as the 'King of the Lowlands' continued to grow. Locals, and those "in the know", would develop an appreciation for Rosebank's complex single malt.
Fast forward to 1974, when casks were laid to rest with purpose, later becoming an 8 year-old single malt! Despite its reputation and increasing popularity, Rosebank sadly closed its doors in 1993, a victim of the oversaturated blended whisky market. As the years passed, hopes for its return dwindled, and the heartbreak of its decline was compounded in 2008 when copper thieves broke in and dismantled the stills.
If you've followed my whisky journey for a while, you'll know I hold a special place in my heart for a select few distilleries (Tamdhu and Glengoyne, I'm looking at you 👀). In 2017, Ian Macleod Distillers acquired Rosebank and once again the distillery was in family hands. I'll drink to that!
Today, while their focus is solely on single malts, the distillery itself beautifully blends contemporary design with its rich history. Victorian red bricks and a towering chimney stack meet floor-to-ceiling windows, and three striking pot stills were built as closely as possible to the original blueprints. Guess Auchentoshan ain't the only ones triple distilling in Scotland now... 🙃
A special shout out goes to Robert, our tour guide, who put up with my nonsense for 90 minutes. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, passion, and insight with us, and to everyone who visits Falkirk to experience a taste of Scotch whisky history. 🏴
Sláinte Mhath! 🥃
