Glenesk

Established in 1897 by James Isles within a former flax mill near Montrose, Angus, this distillery underwent numerous identity shifts. Originally named Highland Esk, it became North Esk in 1899 under Heddle. The site faced significant hardships, including wartime closures and a fire that left only the maltings functional by 1919. In the late 1930s, Joseph Hobbs transitioned the site to grain production under the Montrose name. It returned to malt production as Hillside in 1964 before finally being renamed Glenesk in 1980. Despite these transformations, distilling ceased permanently in 1985, and the site was subsequently demolished for housing.

The multiple names associated with the site, including Hillside and Glenesk, reflect distinct equipment eras rather than separate facilities. While the distillery buildings were demolished, the separate maltings survived the closure. It is important to note that documented tasting notes are scarce and linked primarily to specific historical bottlings. Reliable reconstruction of a definitive house style is challenging due to the lack of contemporary production, though certain vintage releases suggest a profile characterized by clean, fresh cereal notes and subtle hints of apple. These characteristics are not uniform across all vintages produced during its operation.