Littlemill distillery

Littlemill Distillery was a Scottish whisky distillery located in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. The distillery, which was one of the oldest in Scotland, was established in 1772 and ceased production in 1994. The distillery buildings were destroyed by fire in 2004.

History

The Littlemill Distillery was established in 1772 by George Buchanan, a malt master who had previously been associated with the Auchentoshan distillery. The distillery was located on the banks of the River Clyde, near the village of Duntocher. The location was chosen for its proximity to the river, which provided a ready source of water for the distillation process.

In the early years, the distillery produced a traditional Scottish malt whisky, which was sold both locally and exported to other parts of the British Isles. The distillery was one of the first to use a continuous still, a process that allowed for the production of a lighter, more refined spirit.

In 1931, the distillery was acquired by Duncan Thomas, a pioneer in the modernisation of Scottish whisky production. Thomas introduced new techniques and equipment to the distillery, including the use of a Saladin Box for malting the barley, a process that was more efficient and cost-effective than traditional floor malting.

The distillery ceased production in 1994 and was subsequently dismantled. The remaining buildings were destroyed by fire in 2004.

Products

The Littlemill Distillery produced a range of whiskies during its operational years. These included the standard Littlemill malt whisky, as well as a number of special editions and single cask releases. The whiskies were noted for their light, floral character, with hints of fruits and spices.

Despite the closure of the distillery, bottles of Littlemill whisky are still available on the secondary market. These are highly sought after by collectors and whisky enthusiasts.

Legacy

The Littlemill Distillery is remembered as one of the pioneers of the Scottish whisky industry. Its innovative production techniques and the quality of its whiskies have left a lasting legacy in the world of Scotch whisky.