Gilcomston distillery

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Gilcomston was originally a brewery beside the Denburn in Aberdeen, on a site that today sits midway between the Grammar and Gilcomston Primary schools. 

Map
  • Region
    Highland
  • Production type
    Single malt
  • Distillery Status
    Demolished

Gilcomston History

Gilcomston first distilled in 1751, after being converted into a distillery by Gilcomston Distillery Co. which collapsed in 1763. It spent the next 60 years as a brewery again, until the introduction of the Excise Act in 1823 encouraged Thomson Elsmie (or Emslie) and Co. to convert it back into a distillery again in 1825.

Sadly, like many whisky distilleries in Scotland at the time, Gilcomston was closed yet again in 1837. Its life as a distillery – and brewery – was over, and the site was converted into a meal mill. Its subsequent history is obscure and the area today appears to be mainly residential.

Timeline

  • 1751 Gilcomston Distillery Co. converts a brewery beside the Denburn into a distillery
  • 1763 After little over a decade in operation, the company fails, and the plant resumes brewing beer only
  • 1825 The site is licensed to Thomson Elsmie (or Emslie) and Co., which converts it back into a distillery
  • 1837 Gilcomston is closed after its owner folds

Contact

Address
Gilcomston Park Street
Gilcomston
Aberdeen
United Kingdom
Map

See also

  • Aberdeen Asset Management Aberdeen Asset Management Aberdeen Asset Management Own-label

    Aberdeen Asset Management

    Global asset manager with Scotch whisky connections and own-label bottlings to its name.

  • Banks O'Dee Banks O'Dee Banks O'Dee Distillery

    Banks O'Dee

    Lost riverside distillery supposedly burned down by smugglers.

  • Blackburn Blackburn Blackburn Distillery

    Blackburn

    Fleeting rural 19th century distillery that operated in the village of Blackburn near Aberdeen.

  • Bon Accord Bon Accord Bon Accord Distillery

    Bon Accord

    A major distillery in Aberdeen with a long and interesting history. Also known as North of Scotland.

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