Alembics returned to Rosebank

Plans to reactivate the Rosebank distillery in the Lowlands have been talked about in the public space since the fall of 2017. Initially, it was optimistically planned to make the first clearance as early as 2019, but we all know how such plans have been affected by the global epidemiological situation. All larger-scale construction or renovation projects have slipped, sometimes by several years. It was no different with Rosebank. Around the same time, plans were announced to reactivate Brora and Port Ellen. While Brora has already begun operations last year, work continues at Port Ellen and Rosebank. Their projected end at Rosebank is late this summer.

Rosebank was one of the last Scotch whisky distilleries in the Lowlands to run the traditional triple distillation for the region, so the installation of new alembics at the restored plant included three copper distillers. Their assembly is never an easy task, and when it comes to trying to meticulously reproduce the original equipment, things get even more complicated. Forsyths of Rothes in Speyside, the best-known manufacturer of whisky facilities, was tasked with preparing three alembics that are faithful copies of the three that were in operation at Rosebank when it closed in 1993. What's more, at Rosebank, the liquefaction of the distillate was carried out in traditional copper coils, immersed in wooden vats of water. The process is incomparably slower and less efficient than the use of modern condensers, but its purpose is to increase the distillate's contact with copper, and to gently modify its character toward a more full-bodied and heavy. Exactly the same is to be the case after the reactivation of the distillery - an elegant, light and floral distillate, which is the result of triple distillation, is to gain body by oozing through coils of copper coils, after which it will go for many years into oak barrels.

Ian Macleod Distillers, the company that currently owns Rosebank and is behind its relaunch project, also recently hired a manager for the new distillery. The function was assumed by veteran of the Scottish distilling scene Malcolm Rennie. He has previously worked with Ardbeg, Glen Moray and Bruichladdich, among others. He was involved in the reactivation of the Annandale distillery and more recently was instrumental in launching one of the newest young distilleries, Lochlea in the Lowlands.

Rosebank was founded in 1840 and has successfully survived even the greatest crises of the Scottish distilling industry. It was operating even when United Distillers, of which it was a member at the time, was even closing distilleries en masse in response to the overproduction crisis of the early 1980s. It was then, in 1983, that both the aforementioned Port Ellen and Brora were closed, but also a number of other distilleries, including Dallas Dhu, Glenury Royal and St. Magdalene. It wasn't until the beginning of the next decade, and the lack of development prospects associated with the distillery's then nascent tourism, that the verdict was brought down on Rosebank. Located on the disused and stinking Forth & Clyde canal, the distillery was eventually closed and its equipment dismantled. Today the situation is quite different. The reopened Forth & Clyde Canal, connected to the Union Canal via the Falkirk Wheel, is once again bustling with activity and attracting tourists.

Purchased by Ian Macleod Distillers, the renovated distillery is to house not only production space, but also tour rooms, tasting rooms, a store and a bonded warehouse. Whether the new owner will succeed in recreating the subtle but complex flavor profile of the old Rosebank remains to be seen in a few years. In the meantime, we're cheering on the construction work and looking forward to the grand opening ceremony. At least the Visitor Center will be available from the very beginning, and with it for all of us a glimpse into a piece of Scottish distilling history. Currently, only Auchentoshan conducts full triple distillation using three dedicated alembics.

At the time of preparing this material, the House of Whisky Online offered the following more than a dozen editions of whisky distilled at Rosebank before the final closure of the plant. Naturally, these are bottles of no small collector's value. Those interested in expanding their collections are welcome to visit.


[14.03.2022 / photo: Ian Macleod Distillers]