These are such strange and worrying times for very many people. First and foremost, for those in the Ukraine but for so many other people as well who are still dealing with the fallout of Covid. After such a difficult couple of years our thoughts are with all those affected and we at Lindores consider ourselves lucky to be able to continue looking after our staff and visitors as best we know how.

On the one hand we have the amazing success of our Lindores MCDXCIV Single Malt at the International Wines and Spirits Competition, winning an Outstanding Gold Award, one of only 38 whiskies and by far and away the youngest to do so. This is a great testimony to Gary, the distilling team and our blender Lorena. We are incredibly proud of them all.

On the other hand, I think that this last month has been one of the most trying, business-wise that Drew and I have ever experienced, and we thought Covid was a challenge! Without going into too much detail, you will all have seen the statement that we released a couple of weeks ago and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support you have shown. We have been overwhelmed by the wonderful messages from other distilleries, MPs, members and customers. It also has to be said that our issues are still nothing compared to the people of Ukraine and we are contributing to causes when we can.

On a happier note the Distillery is now open 7 days a week again and it is wonderful to see people coming through the door once more. Even better they’re able to enjoy a selection of Lindores drams! We have more releases coming up in the next few weeks and our new website is due to go live any day now.

Stay safe and stay well, from our corner of Fife

Slàinte

Drew & Helen McKenzie Smith
Custodians of Lindores Abbey Distillery

Lindores MCDXCIV Single Malt won an Outstanding Gold Award at the International Wines and Spirits Competition 2022. This International Wine & Spirit Competition is the world’s largest and most influential spirit awards with over 50 years of experience and world renowned judges. We got 98 points out of 100 which is Outstanding!

DISTILLERY NEWS

We have a great and unchanging focus here at Lindores, in making the best possible single malt scotch whisky.

As we run with our excellent 2021 local barley, we have had to make some fine adjustments. Last year’s crop produced smaller grains; so we had to bring the rollers in to get the ideal ratio. Starch equals sugar and sugar equals alcohol. We could see the LPA (Litres of Pure Alcohol) per ton of malt dropping below expectation. There’s no point in giving draff to the cows when we could be converting it into alcohol and putting it in casks.

Some of you who travel regularly on the Newburgh to Cupar road may have noticed a large steel structure being erected at the Brae of Lindores Farm run by the Black family. In conjunction with them we are returning all our casks to these new purpose-built duty-suspended warehouses, built on the land where the monks had stewardship. It will be fantastic to bring all these casks home, where we can cast an eye over them every single day should we wish.

Recently we bottled Monbazillac and Thiron Oak single cask distillery exclusives. If you were fortunate enough to get your hands on a bottle, you are in for a treat. I cannot say enough except for how good they are, and I am so happy we still have some of these casks in reserve for future bottlings. On the cask filling front, the shipment of Amontillado / Palo Cortado / Pedro Ximinez / Oloroso Sherry Butts has arrived and they don’t disappoint .

Slàinte

Gary Haggart
Distillery Manager

CASK NEWS

We have two exotic casks due to arrive before May, the first being an ex-solera sherry order from an exclusive sherry provider under ‘Fernandez Gao’, with different sherry variants in Oloroso, Pedro Ximinez and Palo Cortado. Next, we have another Monbazillac order also coming in May. Given that we had such a good response from the single cask release Monbazilliac, I feel sure that they will sell like hot cakes!

If you would like to find out more please do not hesitate to get in touch at casks@lindoresabbeydistillery.com

Slàinte

Elliot Wynn-Higgins
Cask Custodian