Glenkinchie

Glenkinchie is just fifteen miles from the Scottish capital, earning it the title “The Edinburgh Malt.” But it’s strange to think of that dark and distinguished city when you escape its hustle and bustle to see fields of barley, and the green Lammermuir Hills rolling north towards the Firth of Forth. Stranger still when you taste the subtle, floral flavour of this rare Lowland survivor. 

Founded in 1825 by the farmers John and George Rate, Glenkinchie operated under the name Milton Distillery until it was licensed and renamed in 1837. The new name came from the Kinchie Burn which runs through the glen, which itself derives its name from “de Quincey,” who originally owned the land and burn. It was later rebuilt into the redbrick Victorian masterpiece you’ll see today, complete with houses for the workers, bowling green, two fat old copper pot stills and the largest wash still in the industry. A traditional single cast-iron worm tub cools the spirit, in preference to a more modern condenser, giving the whisky of greater character and depth. 

The connoisseurs and the curious are welcome to step through Glenkinchie’s gates and walk in the footsteps of craftspeople past and present.