Lochside Scotch Whisky
Lochside Scotch whisky distillery is located in Montrose in the eastern Highlands and was originally built as a brewery during the 1890s, on a site used for brewing since the 1700s. The water is drawn from artisan wells on the grounds.
The brewery was sold to the Scottish & Newcastle Breweries Ltd. It was the only location outside Newcastle to produce Newcastle Brown Ale, a pair of coasters would take 1000s of gallons of the ale south to Newcastle every week.
In 1957 Joseph W Hobbs, owner of the Ben Nevis Distillery, acquired the brewery and converted the premises into the Lockside distillery with both patent (grain) and pot stills (malt).
During 1973 Destilerias y Crianzas del Whisky S. A. of Madrid, acquired the Lochside distillery, this was the first continental take over of a Scottish distillery.
The take over saw the closing of the Coffey still that produced the grain whisky, allowing them to concentrate on malt whisky production that they needed for their blending operations.
However due to the takeovers and rationalisation of the industry in the 1980-90s DYC was acquired by Domecq who in turn was taken over by Hiram Walker and eventually acquired by Allied Distillers in 1992.
Because of the mergers Allied Distillers owned more distilleries than they could effectively use so the Lochside distillery was closed down immediately. The warehouse was closed in 1997 and demolished in1999, the rest of the distillery was demolished in 2005.
Lochside Whisky Tasting Notes
Distillery Style
Nose : Fruity with nuts and gentle spices.
Palate : Medium bodied. Smooth, rich, fruity and spicy.
Finish : Long and malty.
