Mannochmore distillery

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Flowers are more to the fore here, with delicate fruits that gain in weight when matured. Although some older expressions have appeared on occasion, it is most commonly seen as a 12-year-old in the Flora & Fauna range.

Map
  • Region
    Speyside
  • Production type
    Single malt
  • Distillery Status
    Working
  • Brands produced here
    Loch Dhu

Mannochmore History

Mannochmore is one of the manifestations of the confidence of the 1960s – a situation which is currently being repeated. It was built by DCL in 1971 to cope with increasing demand internationally for blends, and like its sister plant, Glenlossie, it has been closely associated with the Haig and Dimple brands.

For years it worked quietly away until 1996 when its make was used in one of the most controversial single malts of the late 20th century – Loch Dhu, the ‘black whisky’. Although the full tale of how Loch Dhu was created has never been told (and is unlikely ever to be revealed), the enthusiastic use of spirit caramel is seen by most as the most likely candidate for the pitch black hue.

The brand was withdrawn soon after its launch and despite the hostility of the initial response when it first appeared it has now, perhaps inevitably, become a collector’s item.

Production capacity was upped in 2013 to 4.5m litres per annum with new mash tun, more washbacks and a pair of stills – now making eight in total.

Timeline

  • 1971 Mannochmore is built by DCL on the site of Glenlossie
  • 1985 The distillery is mothballed as demand wanes, but reopens four years later
  • 1992 Mannochmore appears as a 12-year-old single malt bottling in the Flora & Fauna range
  • 1996 The controversial 10-year-old Mannochmore is released under the Loch Dhu brand
  • 2013 The distillery's stills are increased to four

Mannochmore Facts

  • Condenser Type i
    Shell and tube
  • Fermentation Time i
    Minimum 65hrs
  • Filling Strength i
    63.5%
  • Grist Weight (t) i
    11.1
  • Heat Source i
    Steam
  • Malt Specification i
    Non peated
  • Malt Supplier i
    Mainly in house
  • Mash Tun Type i
    Lauter
  • New-make Phenol Level i
    Non peaty
  • New-make Strength i
    65-66%
  • Spirit Still Charge (l) i
    17,000
  • Spirit Still Shape i
    Plain
  • Stills i
    6
  • Wash Still Charge (l) i
    13,500
  • Wash Still Shape i
    Plain
  • Washback Type i
    Wood
  • Washbacks i
    8
  • Water Source i
    Barden Burn
  • Wort Clarity i
    Clear
  • Yeast Type i
    Creamed

Owners

Current owner

Previous owners

Contact

Address
Mannochmore Distillery
Glenlossie Road
Elgin
Moray
IV30 8GZ
United Kingdom
Phone
+44 1343 860331
Visitor Opening Hours
Not open to the public

Map

See also

  • Auchroisk Auchroisk Auchroisk Distillery & brand

    Auchroisk

    One of Diageo’s ‘nutty-spicy’ sites.

  • Benrinnes Benrinnes Benrinnes Distillery & brand

    Benrinnes

    A highly individual Speyside whisky.

  • Blair Athol Blair Athol Blair Athol Distillery & brand

    Blair Athol

    The home of Bell's blended whisky.

  • Caol Ila Caol Ila Caol Ila Distillery & brand

    Caol Ila

    Islay distillery belonging to Diageo.

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