Whisky runs through the city’s industrial heritage like the River Clyde itself. Which is why our gleaming new Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery at the old Queens Dock has a touch of the inevitable about it.
From here at the Pumphouse, the heart of the Clydeside today, Customs & Excise kept a watchful eye on exports of liquid gold.
Turns out, our ancestor, John Morrison, began building the Queen's Dock in 1863 while he was busy building half the city – one whole generation before our family discovered whisky.
John also had a hand in raising Loch Katrine, whose pure soft water goes into making Clydeside Single Malt Whisky today.
The Clydeside Distillery is in the Pumphouse building, which once controlled all the comings and goings for the famous Queen’s Dock.
Our building pumped hydraulic power for the swing bridge, witnessing ships leaving the docks carrying whisky destined for every continent.
We brought together the best of the old and the new at The Clydeside Distillery, using traditional techniques for making our exquisite new Clydeside Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The craftsmen distil our spirit by hand, using all the senses.
Whisky runs down our family line for over a century, starting with Stanley P. Morrison who became one of Glasgow’s most successful whisky brokers. In 1925, he helped establish T. William Walker & Co and purchased whisky merchant, A. D. Rattray. By 1936, he’d also acquired the prestigious Chivas Brothers with partner Robert Lundie.
Famously, one day in Grand Central Hotel in 1963, Stanley P. Morrison overheard rumours that Bowmore Distillery was up for sale – and bought it the very same day, laying the foundation for Morrison Bowmore Distillers. Seven years later, he bought Glen Garioch Distillery.
Sons Tim and Brian followed suit. Following an apprenticeship at Dalmore Distillery, Tim, together with Brian, entered the family business and purchased Auchentoshan Distillery.
Tim went on to buy back A.D. Rattray and launched a new range of exclusive bottlings.
In 2017, Tim Morrison opened The Clydeside Distillery, fulfilling his ambition to revive distilling Single Malt Whisky once more in Glasgow. Through the distillery, he also helped restore the dock his great-grandfather built.
We anticipate the launch of the first Single Malt from The Clydeside Distillery in 2021.
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