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Distillation begins at Lindores Abbey Distillery
Scotch whisky production is set to begin at Lindores Abbey Distillery today (13 December), as the site prepares to take its first spirit cut from its stills.
Lindores Abbey Distillery will distil its first spirit today (13 December)
The first distillation at the Fife-based distillery will be broadcast live on Facebook this afternoon at 2pm. The spirit will be filled into ex-Woodford Reserve and Old Forester Bourbon barrels.
While whisky fans will have to wait at least three years to sample Lindores Abbey’s inaugural Scotch bottling, the distillery is planning to bottle and sell an aqua vitae, which will be available exclusively from the visitor centre in Newburgh.
Lindores Abbey Aqua Vitae will be made with herbs and spices that would have been grown on the site in 1494 and used in spirit production.
In addition, plans are under way to reintroduce bee hives to reinstate the honey production of the monks, alongside orchards where Scotland’s largest pear tree once grew.
An apothecary has also been installed in the visitor centre under the watchful eye of Heriot-Watt graduate Tim Foster, who is working with Haggart and Edinburgh’s Timberyard restaurant team to create recipe and distilling techniques for the Lindores Abbey Aqua Vitae.
Gary Haggart, distillery manager at Lindores Abbey, said: “Distilling the first spirit at Lindores Abbey in more than 500 years is such an honour, and with this innovative and world-class distillery behind me, it’s now the task of the team here to produce a Scotch whisky worthy of its spiritual home.
“We’re looking forward to that challenge, using all of the expertise and passion Drew and Helen McKenzie Smith have garnered from across the industry, and it will be our pleasure to welcome the whisky pilgrims through our doors to share in the spirit of this unique place.”
The Fife-based distillery officially opened in October this year, and claims to be the site of first recorded whisky distillation in Scotland.
Exchequer rolls of detail that Friar John Cor of Lindores Abbey in Fife paid duty on eight bolls of malt to make aqua vitae (equating to 400 700ml bottles) for King James IV.
Established by Drew and Helen McKenzie Smith, Lindores Abbey Distillery will produce 150,000 litres of spirit a year and is now offering tours of its facilities and visitor centre.