The Glasgow Distillery Co.
The Glasgow Distillery is a renowned distillery that has gained international praise for its exceptional craftsmanship in producing a premium range of spirits, including single malt Scotch whisky, blended malt Scotch whisky, rum, vodka and gin. Situated on the outskirts of the city in a contemporary industrial setting, the distillery is deeply rooted in the city’s rich history and tradition of whisky-making, while also embracing innovation and a forward-thinking approach.
Founded in 2012 by friends Mike Hayward, and Liam Hughes, The Glasgow Distillery quickly established itself as a pioneer in the revival of whisky production within the city lines of Glasgow. Prior to its establishment, Glasgow had been without a new independent single malt whisky distillery for over a century, making the company’s founding a significant milestone in the region’s whisky heritage.
Using a combination of traditional and modern techniques, the distillery is producing an outstanding range that honours both the past and present. Whilst whisky is at the forefront of their production, their range of spirits helps showcase their versatility and commitment to crafting high-quality products across different categories.
Meet the Brands
Glasgow’s history, Glasgow’s stories, and Glasgow’s people. Their Scotch whisky brands are: Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Malt Riot Blended Malt Scotch Whisky,
Glasgow 1770 is their signature single malt Scotch whisky that honours the heritage of single malt distilling in Glasgow by using the date 1770, paying homage to the original foundation of Glasgow Distillery before its closure in the 20th Century.
Malt Riot Blended Malt Scotch Whisky tells the tale of the people of Glasgow who came together for what they believed in. Referencing the 1725 Malt Riots when the British Government attempted to impose a tax on Scotland’s malted barley, Malt Riot is a blend of handpicked single malts from across Scotland with Glasgow 1770 at its heart.
Creating an award-winning Single Malt Whisky
Throughout the whisky production process, The Glasgow Distillery take great pride in their attention to detail, sourcing only the finest ingredients, and utilising Glasgow’s natural pure water supply from Loch Katrine. With flavour at the forefront, they ferment for over 72 hours, distil in small copper pot stills, and then carefully age in various cask types, resulting in whiskies that give rich flavours, complexity, and character.
The distillery splits its whisky production year into three distinct periods based on the three different styles of new make spirit they produce: double distilled unpeated, double distilled peated, and triple distilled unpeated. By creating three different styles of new make spirit, they create three very different spirit profiles – both in flavour and texture. These profiles are the foundation upon which they release their range of single malt whiskies, giving them a wide spectrum of flavours for their whisky portfolio each year.
These three styles form the foundation of the distillery’s single malt range: Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky The Original, Triple Distilled and Peated. Throughout the year the distillery also releases several Glasgow 1770 Small Batch Series bottlings that showcase the experimental side of their maturation strategy; past releases include Tequila, Tokaji, Cognac, and beer cask finishes across their range of whisky production styles.
Driven by a passion for excellence, a respect for tradition, and an innovative spirit, The Glasgow Distillery continues to push boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the whisky and spirits industry. Through their dedication to craftsmanship, commitment to sustainability, and an unwavering pursuit of perfection, they have firmly established themselves as a leading light in the spirits industry, celebrated both locally and internationally.
Images kindly supplied by The Glasgow Distillery Co.