Linlithgow

By 1798 at the latest, and possibly as early as 1765, Sebastian Henderson built a distillery in the West Lothian town of Linlithgow - birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, and home to a magnificent royal palace - which initially simply carried the name of its location. It was later renamed St. Magdalene, after a former convent and hospital that had once stood on the same site. In 1912, the distillery passed to the Distillers Company Limited, before closing for good in 1983 - along with more than twenty other Scotch distilleries amid the industry crisis of the time. In the early 1990s, most of the historic buildings were demolished to make way for housing; only a few, now highly sought-after cask bottlings still recall this unusually long-lived Lowland malt.

Why does the same distillery carry two names?

Originally named after its location, Linlithgow, the distillery later took the name St. Magdalene - after a historic convent and hospital that had once stood on the same grounds.

What remains of the distillery today?

After closing in 1983, most of the buildings were demolished in the early 1990s to make way for housing - only scattered historic cask bottlings still recall the former Lowland malt.

Flavour profile

Taste: An unusually high peat content for a Lowland whisky meets fine citrus notes - cognac cask maturation adds an exceptional creaminess.

Recommended enjoyment: A rarity for collectors - unusually only double-distilled, which gives the malt its distinctive character.

Facts and figures

Founded by 1798 at the latest (possibly 1765) by Sebastian Henderson. Acquired by DCL in 1912. Closed 1983, largely demolished in the early 1990s.