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Where is Littlemill Distillery?

Littlemill Distillery is no more. It is a ghost distillery that once stood west of Loch Lomond and on the banks of the River Clyde. Now recognised as Scotland’s oldest licenced distillery, it was created in 1772, receiving its licence the following year. It produced a Lowland whisky, but in keeping with its innovative approach to distilling, it took its water from above the Highland line, it sourced its malt from Stornoway and its peat from Perthshire.

What happened to Littlemill Distillery?

Littlemill had a long and prestigious history of distilling, modernising continually as it developed from its founding in 1772. As the centuries passed, ownership changed hands a number of times and new technologies and trends emerged, making Littlemill one of the most forward thinking in Scotland. Littlemill was the first distillery in the world to have a female licensee, Mrs Jane McGregor in 1823. In the late 1800s it was redeveloped and rebuilt and it continued to thrive through to the mid part of the 20th century. By the 1980s the Scottish whisky industry was under pressure and Littlemill closed for the first time. It reopened under new ownership in 1989 but was eventually closed for good in 1994. In 2004 a fire destroyed the Littlemill distillery completely. Luckily, any remaining stock had been moved for storage to Loch Lomond Distillery so it was saved and it is this rare and historic whisky that is still being bottled today. 

Who owns Littlemill Distillery?

Today Littlemill Distillery and brand is owned by the Loch Lomond group. This is a large independent Scottish drinks conglomerate that owns three distilleries: Loch Lomond Distillery, Glen Scotia Distillery and the ghost distillery of Littlemill, as well as a range of other whisky and alcoholic drinks brands. The master blender at Littlemill is Michael Henry and he is responsible for the selection, blending and bottling of the final remnants of Littlemill’s stock.

How many whiskies does Littlemill produce?

Currently there are seven Littlemill releases in its ghost period editions. They are each hand-selected by the master blender, Michael Henry, and created to capture the rarity and exclusivity of Littlemill’s remaining stock. They are vintage releases and represent some of the oldest whisky in Scotland. There are also a wide range of vintage releases from when the distillery was in operation and those released by independent bottlers. It is widely considered that the earlier releases by independent Scottish bottlers were more mature and often superior to the distillery’s own releases. This all changed when the current series of vintage releases were brought to market as these are much more mature bottlings. 

Littlemill 45 – the Anniversary Edition

The oldest release is the 45-year-old Anniversary edition that was released to mark 250 years since Littlemill was established. First laid down to mature in 1976, it is a triple-distilled bottling of some of the rarest distillate produced at Littlemill. Bottled at 41.8% ABV, only 250 bottles of this rare liquid were released. In 1994 it was transferred from its original casks into two American oak hogsheads. It got a final finish for six months in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks.  

Littlemill Testament Release

This 44-year-old single malt was released in 2020 and is taken from stock that first began to mature in 1976. It is one of only 250 bottles and, like its 45-year-old sibling, it was matured in American oak and Oloroso Hogsheads. With an ABV 0f 42.5%, it is said to have a fruit-forward palate with layers of pineapple, peach and crisp apple underpinning a creamy vanilla and brown sugar and spice bite. 

Littlemill Celestial Edition

This 40-year-old single malt was distilled in 1977 and matured in American oak and finished in oloroso sherry casks. Bottled at 46.8%, it is a complex single malt that has been incredibly well received by critics and whisky experts. 

Littlemill Private Cellar

The most recent of the Private Cellar series was a 29-year-old single malt. Released as the third in the private cellar series, there were 600 of these bottles offered to customers at release with an ABV of 47.3%.  The other two editions were 25- and 27-years-old. The 25-year-old was released at 50.4% while the 27-year-old had the highest ABV in the series with 51.3%.

Littlemill 1992 Vintage

This was a traveller exclusive and set out to combine the whisky of three casks to create a light floral-note whisky similar to the original style of the distillery in the 20th century. Each of the casks were distilled in 1992 and bottled in 2019. There were 300 of the 45.3% bottles released. 

What does Littlemill whisky taste like?

The remaining Littlemill whisky stock is predominantly matured in ex-bourbon casks. The master blender has chosen to further finish his releases in first-fill oloroso sherry casks. This has produced a signature flavour of fruit-forward and vanilla-heavy whisky that has a long spicy finish with notes of cinnamon and pepper. 

How much is Littlemill whisky worth?

Littlemill whisky enjoys great success at auction and in specialist retailers. Collectors especially like the whisky because of its rarity. Retail offers for its current 40-year-old release sell for anything from €8,000-€10,000. In 2022 a bottle of Littlemill Testament sold at auction for a record price of €20,000. The price of Littlemill is destined to increase as its remaining stock dwindles. Most bottles of the ghost distillery’s output come with a 5cl tasting sample to allow owners to sample their whisky without having to open the main bottle.

Is Littlemill the oldest distillery in Scotland?

Littlemill is the oldest licenced distillery in Scotland, receiving its licence from the government of King George the 3rd in 1773. There were other unlicenced distilleries before that but Littlemill stands as the historical starting point for licenced distilling in Scotland. 

How much Littlemill whisky is left?

It’s not publicly known just how much Littlemill whisky is left in cask at Loch Lomond. A large quantity has already been bottled and with no further production since it closed in the early 1990s the remaining stock is extremely limited and rationed. Every new release grabs headlines all around the world.