Cambus

Originating as a disused mill near Alloa, Cambus was established by the Moubray family in 1806, initially producing malt whisky. The site transitioned to grain production by installing two Stein patent stills in 1836, followed by a Coffey still in 1851. As one of the founding members of the Distillers Company Limited (DCL) in 1877, Cambus played a central role in the 'What is Whisky' debate. A famous 1906 Daily Mail advertisement for 'Pure Grain Whisky' from Cambus challenged the era's perceptions of patent-still spirits before a 1914 fire forced a long closure.

Following the fire, Cambus remained closed until 1937, eventually ceasing distillation permanently in 1993. Although the stills fell silent, the site retained strategic importance; filling and warehousing operations continued, and in 2011, a major Diageo cooperage was established here, absorbing work from the closed Carsebridge and Dundashill facilities. While historic marketing described the spirit as mild and mellow, these terms represent advertising claims rather than verified tasting profiles. The liquid survives today primarily through rare aged releases, cementing its legacy as a pillar of the early blended whisky industry.