The Rise, Fall and Rise of Glasgow's Whisky

Scotch whisky is intrinsically tied to the place of its birth. There’s barely a square foot of the country that hasn’t in some way been touched by the whisky industry yet for many, Scotch conjures up images of dramatic and mysterious landscapes. Of lochs and rivers, glens and bens. It’s certainly true that whisky has its roots in rural Scotland, but the nation’s cities have more than played their part in the development of the product.

ScottishRogue Walking Tour

Scottish Rogue is a Glasgow-based firm, determined to shine a light on the city’s whisky heritage. Glasgow may not be the first place you think of, when it comes to whisky, but the city has a long and storied connection to Scotland’s national spirit. Without Glasgow, it’s unlikely that Scotch whisky would have become the success it is.

The earliest written record of whisky being produced in Scotland dates back to 1494, but whisky has undoubtedly been around a lot longer. Exactly when the spirit first came to Glasgow is open to debate but by the mid – late 1700s it had gained a significant foothold. The first known distillery opened in 1770. In its wake, came more than two dozen more.

It wasn’t all about distilling, though. Glasgow was an important factor in the rise of blended Scotch. White Horse, Teacher’s and Whyte & MacKay all had their beginnings in the city. Each was founded by a whisky baron who capitalised on Glasgow’s position on the River Clyde. The river was an important lifeline for distilleries in the Western Isles. Coal-fired steamships, affectionately known as Clyde Puffers, carried raw materials to the islands and returned with their holds laden with whisky, ready to sell to the eager blenders.

By the start of the 20th century, however, the picture looked very different. The whisky industry slumped, and many distillers were forced out of business. Glasgow was no different. When Dundashill Distillery closed in 1903, it brought an end to malt whisky production in the city. Only Strathclyde and Port Dundas remained operational, and they focused solely on the mass production of grain whisky, for use in blends.

The city remained an important hub for blending and many a bonded warehouse on the outskirts was used to store and mature whisky, but the return of Glasgow malt was a long time coming. The Glasgow Distillery Company was established in 2015 and launched its inaugural bottling in 2018. It was the first single malt to be produced in the city for 112 years. A second distillery, The Clydeside, soon followed. Glasgow’s stills were flowing once again.

Today, Glasgow is a popular stop for tourists eager to learn about the city’s intriguing history. Its compact nature makes it a fantastic city to walk around, and the people offer as warm a welcome as you’ll find. Scottish Rogue has made it their mission to showcase everything Glasgow has to offer the whisky lover. Through Whisky Bar Walking Tours, they tell the story of Glasgow and its wonderful spirit.

Scottish Rogue invites you to experience Glasgow and its whisky, with distillery tours, tasting events and bespoke whisky experiences, suitable for all occasions. Book now at scottishrogue.co.uk

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Saltire Sentinel’s editorial stance.