Lost Distillery

    Port Dundas

    Lowland
    Demolished
    Grain

    Port Dundas — Lowland, Scotland · Spirit type: Grain · Founded: 1811 · Closed: 2010 · Status: Demolished

    Key facts

    Port Dundas — Key facts
    RegionLowland
    CountryScotland
    Spirit typeGrain
    StatusDemolished
    Founded1811
    Closed2010

    Port Dundas — History & notes

    Established in 1811 on the banks of Glasgow Forth and Clyde Canal, Port Dundas became a massive industrial force in Scottish grain whisky. After merging with the nearby Cowlairs in 1860, both sites operated Coffey stills to meet growing demand. By 1877, the distillery was a founding member of the Distillers Company Limited (DCL). Technical records from 1885 reveal a complex infrastructure featuring three Coffey stills and five pot stills, processing a diverse mash bill of maize, barley, and rye. It further expanded by absorbing Dundashill in 1902 before undergoing significant modernization in the 1970s.

    Despite its historical importance, the 21st century marked the end for Port Dundas. In 2010, Diageo decided to consolidate grain production at Cameronbridge, leading to the cessation of operations and subsequent demolition of the site in 2011. Throughout its lifespan, the distillery was a vital component for global brands like White Horse and Johnnie Walker. While primary evidence of its character remains linked to blending requirements, the legacy of the distillery survives through infrequent single grain releases, documenting the industrial heritage of Glasgow spirit production before the site was cleared for history.

    Flavour profile

    There is no verified universal flavour profile for Port Dundas. The distillery operated both Coffey and pot stills using maize, barley, and rye, primarily for blending purposes, making a singular style difficult to reconstruct without more specific historic sensory data.

    Bottlings & collector track record

    • Port Dundas 20 Year Old Special Releases: A single grain scotch bottled in 2011 from a limited run of 1,920 bottles. This expression was matured in a combination of American and European oak casks.
    • Independent releases include the Douglas Laing 'Old Particular' range, featuring a 2004 vintage 14-year-old and a 1988 vintage 28-year-old titled 'Crackerjack'.

    Sources

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