A red brick wall of Glenkinchie distillery sits at the end of a path surrounded by colourful plants. A golden Johnnie Walker ‘Striding Man’ statue is at the end of the path, and the sign on the wall says ‘Glenkinchie’.

Glenkinchie

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Three bottles of Glenkinchie whisky sit on a row outside on a wooden surface. Surrounding the wooden surface are assorted plants and flowers.

Discover Glenkinchie

From modest beginnings to the modern-day malt

Glenkinchie is just fifteen miles from the Scottish capital, earning it the title “The Edinburgh Malt.” But it’s strange to think of that dark and distinguished city when you escape its hustle and bustle to see fields of barley, and the green Lammermuir Hills rolling north towards the Firth of Forth. Stranger still when you taste the subtle, floral flavour of this rare Lowland survivor.

Founded in 1825 by the farmers John and George Rate, Glenkinchie operated under the name Milton Distillery until it was licensed and renamed in 1837. The new name came from the Kinchie Burn which runs through the glen, which itself derives its name from “de Quincey,” who originally owned the land and burn. It was later rebuilt into the redbrick Victorian masterpiece you’ll see today, complete with houses for the workers, bowling green, two fat old copper pot stills and the largest wash still in the industry. A traditional single cast-iron worm tub cools the spirit, in preference to a more modern condenser, giving the whisky of greater character and depth.

The connoisseurs and the curious are welcome to step through Glenkinchie’s gates and walk in the footsteps of craftspeople past and present.

Quote “With its fragrant, light body, Glenkinchie whisky is perfect as an apéritif or at the commencement of a meal”

A red brick wall of Glenkinchie distillery sits at the end of a path surrounded by colourful plants. A golden Johnnie Walker ‘Striding Man’ statue is at the end of the path, and the sign on the wall says ‘Glenkinchie’.
A red wooden barrel lays on its side with the front facing forwards. On the front is printed, in gold writing, ‘Glenkinchie 1837’. The barrel lays outside on a wooden surface, with a wooden fence behind it.

Visit Glenkinchie

Visit the Distillery

The distillery’s proximity to Edinburgh makes it ideal for anyone looking to escape the city for a day. The immersive tours give visitors the chance to sample the unique taste of Lowlands whisky and an in-depth look at how Glenkinchie develops from grain to glass.  

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