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St. Magdalene

Translation: Holy Magdalene
Region: Lowlands


Where are all the flowers?

This question was asked by the singer Joan Baez in one of her most famous songs. And somehow one asks oneself also with respect to the once so numerous Lowland distilleries.
Kinclaith, Killyloch, Glenflagler, Inverleven, Ladyburn, Rosebank: all sonorous names - and all dead. Closed, dismantled, demolished. St. Magdalene was still the longest. "Only" In 1983, the distillery in the village of Linlithgow closed its doors forever. Why? It could not have been the quality of the malts. He had and rightly has his fans. You can still taste the past. But soon the last few bottlings will be gone from the market. And only then, in a modification of the old Indian prophecy, "will you realize that you can not drink residential complexes ..."


A little history

It is certainly not proven that the distillery was founded in 1765 by Sebastian Henderson under the name Linlithgow in the same place. It is confirmed that an Adam Dawson 1798 was the owner. The belonged in Linlithgow already the Bonnytown distillery. In 1810, the two distilleries were merged and renamed St. Magdalene.
In 1912, the distillery went to Distillers Company Limited (DCL).
St. Magdalene was one of the five founding distilleries of the Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD) in 1914 along with Rosebank, Clydesdale, The Grange and Glenkinchie.

In 1983, the distillery was shut down. Some of the buildings were demolished, the remainder converted into a residential complex.

What do I actually have in the glass?
On the one hand typical Lowland: grassy, flowery notes and fresh sweetness.
On the other hand: relatively powerful and clear traces of smoke. Unusual and full of character.


3 reasons to love St. Magdalene

1) Because distilleries are somehow more romantic than apartment complexes.
2) Because the Malt has character.
3) Because the lowlands are not so "low" in taste.


The one drama for the lonely island

The only original bottling, a 19-year-old in UD's "Rare Malt" series, was outstanding, but is hardly to get - and if, then from 800 euros upwards. By contrast, the excellent 35 (!) Year old from the "Rare Old" edition of Gordon & MacPhail is a bargain.


numbers and facts

Address: St. Magdalene's, Linlithgow, West Lothian EH49
Founded: probably 1765 by Sebastian Henderson
Status: demolished or converted into apartments
Owner: Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD)
Capacity: formerly about 1,000,000 liters
2 wash stills
2 spirit stills
Water: formerly Loch Lomond
Visitor Center: -
Telephone: -
Website: -

Translation: Holy Magdalene Region: Lowlands Where are all the flowers? This question was asked by the singer Joan Baez in one of her most famous songs. And somehow one asks oneself also... read more »
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St. Magdalene

Translation: Holy Magdalene
Region: Lowlands


Where are all the flowers?

This question was asked by the singer Joan Baez in one of her most famous songs. And somehow one asks oneself also with respect to the once so numerous Lowland distilleries.
Kinclaith, Killyloch, Glenflagler, Inverleven, Ladyburn, Rosebank: all sonorous names - and all dead. Closed, dismantled, demolished. St. Magdalene was still the longest. "Only" In 1983, the distillery in the village of Linlithgow closed its doors forever. Why? It could not have been the quality of the malts. He had and rightly has his fans. You can still taste the past. But soon the last few bottlings will be gone from the market. And only then, in a modification of the old Indian prophecy, "will you realize that you can not drink residential complexes ..."


A little history

It is certainly not proven that the distillery was founded in 1765 by Sebastian Henderson under the name Linlithgow in the same place. It is confirmed that an Adam Dawson 1798 was the owner. The belonged in Linlithgow already the Bonnytown distillery. In 1810, the two distilleries were merged and renamed St. Magdalene.
In 1912, the distillery went to Distillers Company Limited (DCL).
St. Magdalene was one of the five founding distilleries of the Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD) in 1914 along with Rosebank, Clydesdale, The Grange and Glenkinchie.

In 1983, the distillery was shut down. Some of the buildings were demolished, the remainder converted into a residential complex.

What do I actually have in the glass?
On the one hand typical Lowland: grassy, flowery notes and fresh sweetness.
On the other hand: relatively powerful and clear traces of smoke. Unusual and full of character.


3 reasons to love St. Magdalene

1) Because distilleries are somehow more romantic than apartment complexes.
2) Because the Malt has character.
3) Because the lowlands are not so "low" in taste.


The one drama for the lonely island

The only original bottling, a 19-year-old in UD's "Rare Malt" series, was outstanding, but is hardly to get - and if, then from 800 euros upwards. By contrast, the excellent 35 (!) Year old from the "Rare Old" edition of Gordon & MacPhail is a bargain.


numbers and facts

Address: St. Magdalene's, Linlithgow, West Lothian EH49
Founded: probably 1765 by Sebastian Henderson
Status: demolished or converted into apartments
Owner: Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD)
Capacity: formerly about 1,000,000 liters
2 wash stills
2 spirit stills
Water: formerly Loch Lomond
Visitor Center: -
Telephone: -
Website: -

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