Historically there was more distillation in the Lowlands than any other region of Scotland. However, these days have now past and the Lowlands whiskey production though hasn’t ceased have certainly drastically been reduced.
Despite this, Ailsa Bay – the largest malt distillery in the lowlands is one of the biggest in Scotland, with the capacity to complete 12M litres a year – still features prominently on the Scottish whiskey landscape even though all the malt distilled in Ailsa Bay is used for blends.
It may be a smaller production area, but the lowlands still supply inimitable flavours to more than one whiskey shop in the UK – in fact, Lowland whiskey is quite popular. The most famed whiskies of the lowlands are Glenkinchie, distilled a stone’s throw from Edinburgh and Auchentoshan, distilled on the outskirts of Glasgow.
Blending subtle and understated flavours, Lowland single malt scotch whiskey embodies a cream, toffee and cinnamon bouquet with a grassy, honeysuckle and toasted quality for a truly admirable flavour.
The History of Lowland Whisky
Over production of single malt scotch whiskey in the Lowland region in the 18th and 19th century eventually led to the downfall of Lowland whiskey. The market became flooded with poor quality spirits and, the rising popularity of highland blends did little to quash the tide of changing taste.
Moreover, lowlands whiskies were dealt further blows by the First World War, tax hikes and the onset of prohibition – all of which resulted in every whiskey shop in the UK – and beyond having hardly much Lowland whiskey to help elevate its popularity.
Thankfully, several Lowland distilleries endured throughout this challenging time, continuing top produce grassy single malts, with whiskies like Glenkinchie hailing from the east of Edinburgh and Auchentoshan from the outskirts of Glasgow being the most notable lowlands whiskies.
Please feel free to browse our collection of Lowland whiskies. If you’d like to learn more, call us on 01466 795 105 or email info@thespiritsembassy.com.
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