Spirits · Pencaitland, Scotland
Glenkinchie Distillery
Light, floral Lowland single malt made a short drive from Edinburgh.
- Founded
- 1825
- Founded by
- John Rate, George Rate
- Based in
- Pencaitland, Scotland
Making it since
1825
Their story
Glenkinchie sits in farmland near Pencaitland in East Lothian, about 15 miles from Edinburgh. Brothers John and George Rate founded it around 1825, but they went bankrupt in 1853 and the buildings served as a sawmill until distilling resumed in 1881.
It joined Scottish Malt Distillers in 1914, which became part of the Distillers Company, and through later mergers it passed to Diageo, the current owner. Diageo opened a new visitor center at the distillery in 2020.
How it's made
The distillery runs one very large wash still and one spirit still, and draws water from burns in the Lammermuir Hills. Its 12 Year Old was named Best Lowland Single Malt at the 2013 World Whiskies Awards.
Why we carry them
Glenkinchie is a gentle way into Scotch, soft and grassy rather than smoky. We like it as an aperitif-style dram or for friends who think they do not like whisky.
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