St. Magdalene — Lowland, Scotland · Spirit type: Malt · Founded: 1753 · Closed: 1983 · Status: Demolished
Key facts
| Region | Lowland |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Spirit type | Malt |
| Status | Demolished |
| Founded | 1753 |
| Closed | 1983 |
| Also known as | Linlithgow |
St. Magdalene — History & notes
Founded around 1753 by Sebastian Henderson in Linlithgow, West Lothian, St Magdalene represents a significant chapter in Lowland distilling history. Adam Dawson acquired the site in 1798, eventually merging it with the adjacent Bonnytoun operations. The facility utilized the Union Canal wharf and railway sidings for logistics, drawing process water from an artesian well and cooling water from the canal. After facing liquidation, Distillers Company Limited acquired the site in 1912, and it became a founding member of Scottish Malt Distillers in 1914. At this time, the production setup included five stills and fourteen washbacks.
The distillery ceased production in 1983 during a period of widespread industry consolidation. In the early 1990s, the site underwent residential conversion, though the historic fabric of the kilns and iconic pagoda roofs was preserved. While the distillery operated under the name St Magdalene, its spirit was also frequently released under the name Linlithgow, representing the same liquid produced at the same site. Because the distillery has been closed for decades and lacks contemporary official technical notes, a verified general taste profile cannot be reliably reconstructed based solely on available historical documentation and verified sources.
Flavour profile
A verified general taste profile cannot be reliably reconstructed as the distillery closed in 1983 and official tasting evidence is absent from the research records.
Bottlings & collector track record
- Rare Malts Selections: Significant historical releases include the 1970 vintage bottled at 23 years old and the 1979 vintage bottled at 19 years old, showcasing the distillery's late production era.
- Linlithgow 30 year old: Released as part of the 2004 Special Releases, this bottling uses the alternative name for the distillery, representing long-aged historic liquid from the site.
Sources
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