A Legacy Reborn:
Rosebank Distillery celebrates landmark reopening after 30 years
Rosebank Distillery has welcomed its first guests after being miraculously restored in an ambitious four-year project that pays homage to the original site.
The new distillery has been hailed as a tremendous addition for the Falkirk community, stimulating tourism, generating employment, and significantly boosting the local economy.
The revival has transformed the previously mothballed site into a beautiful new working distillery that celebrates dynamic new architecture intertwined with the original infrastructure.
To mark the occasion, Rosebank Distillery has launched its first distillery exclusive, and its oldest expression to date, a 1989 Vintage, 33 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky.
Known as a “Sleeping Giant of Scottish Distilleries”, the highly anticipated Rosebank Distillery has finally reawakened, opening its doors today to welcome whisky enthusiasts from around the globe, for the first time ever.
After more than 30 years of closure, Ian Macleod Distillers has lovingly brought back to life the “ghost” distillery, previously thought to be lost forever. The meticulous restoration has spanned the last four years, and the stunning new distillery has returned as an iconic landmark for the Falkirk community. The striking new distillery retains some key original features, which are complemented by contemporary, state-of-the-art elements.
The newly restored home of Rosebank also offers a world-class visitor experience for guests – a first in the distillery’s history. With the doors now open, the distillery is expected to stimulate tourism and generate employment, significantly boosting the local Falkirk economy.
Commonly referred to as “The King of the Lowlands”, spirit once again flows at Rosebank Distillery, and the first cask was filled in June 2023. Paying respect to the historic site, the characteristic three copper stills have been lovingly crafted to replicate their historic shape based on original distillery drawings. They now stand proudly in the stunning glass-fronted still house and distil the famous elegant, and floral signature Rosebank spirit.
Stuart Hendry, Brand Homes Director at Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “This is a huge moment for the people of Falkirk and the global whisky community. It has been an absolute pleasure watching Rosebank reawaken, with its original, unique distillation methods now sitting at the heart of inspiring new buildings that respect the original setting. The sense of pride that the people of Falkirk have in Rosebank is very much felt by all of us at Ian Macleod Distillers and to be custodians of such an iconic distillery is a dream come true.
“Opening the doors today to visitors marks another historic chapter in the incredible story of Rosebank and we are excited to welcome whisky lovers from around the world into this incredible cathedral of distillation.”
To mark the distillery’s full revival, Rosebank has released its first distillery exclusive, and its oldest expression to date, Rosebank Vintage 1989. The 33 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky, bottled at its natural strength of 47.5% ABV, is from the oldest year of the legacy stock. The new expression is a limited run of 650 bottles, and only available to buy from the distillery gift shop, priced at £3,200. As an extra-celebratory opening day memento, distillery manager Malcolm Rennie will be on-site signing bottles after purchase.
On the nose, the whisky presents a combination of tropical fruits, vanilla, aged oak, white grape, melon, upside down cake, custard, maple syrup and hints of liquorice. While the palate reveals flavours of bright lemon, peach, sweet menthol, gentle coriander and pepper spice.
Emma Oakes, Blender at Rosebank said: “Such a grand occasion calls for an exceptional whisky, and our Rosebank Vintage 1989 is just that. We have had the unique opportunity to assess each of the rare Rosebank casks that have survived since the distillery’s closure in 1993. It was clear from the start that our 1989 casks, the oldest in our archive, would be perfect to create this incredibly special dram to toast to the revival of such a well-loved distillery.”
Whisky lovers looking to visit Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk can choose from three tour options; Rosebank Reawakening, Rosebank Rekindled and Rosebank Revered. Each tour starts with an immersive animation that recounts Rosebank’s miraculous tale of turbulence and triumph, all brought to life in the original distillery buildings.
A detailed tour of the distillery and still house follows, as well as the opportunity to taste Rosebank’s new make spirit and the award-winning expressions from Rosebank’s sister distilleries Glengoyne and Tamdhu. The Rosebank Revered tour offers a tutored tasting of three exceptionally rare and specially selected Rosebank expressions.
Rosebank distillery tours are available from today and can be booked directly via www.rosebank.com.
About Rosebank
Owned by Ian Macleod Distillers, one of Scotland’s leading independent family-owned distillers, ‘The King of the Lowlands’ makes a highly-anticipated return.
After being mothballed in 1993, Rosebank has re-opened in 2024, with a renovation that breathes life back into this esteemed Scottish distillery and the surrounding community in Falkirk.
Regarded as one of the lightest, most floral Scotch whiskies ever made, Rosebank whisky is a non-peated, triple distilled, Lowland Single Malt. Its fruity floral style is achieved through a combination of triple distillation and worm tub condensers – a production technique that is unique to Rosebank Distillery.
Tour details:
Rosebank Reawakening has been designed to appeal to everyone from aficionados to novices, and includes a detailed tour of the distillery and still house. There will also be the opportunity to nose the new make spirit, along with tastings of expressions from Rosebank’s sister distilleries Glengoyne and Tamdhu. Tours will be available every day of the week, costing £25 per person.
For those keen to experience the aged Rosebank in one of our private tasting rooms, the 90-minute Rosebank Rekindled is available for £95 per person. Visitors embark on a guided tour of the distillery, warehouse and still house before nosing the new-make spirit and enjoying a tasting of the vibrant Rosebank 31 Year Old which was produced in the original distillery, alongside some award-winning drams from Glengoyne and Tamdhu distilleries.
Rosebank Revered is for true whisky aficionados, and includes a welcome reception in the beautifully designed, vaulted ceiling, Rosebank Lounge where tales of Rosebank old and new are shared, over served coffee and tea. From there, a detailed tour of the distillery including the magnificent glass-fronted stillhouse and warehouse. Then to Rosebank’s Academy Rooms where guests will discover how the new make spirit is crafted, while hearing back tasting notes from Distillery Manager, Malcolm Rennie. The experience will end with a tutored tasting of a flight of three exceptionally rare and specially selected Rosebank expressions, in one of the impressive private tasting rooms. The Rosebank Revered tour costs £300 per person.
To find out more about Rosebank Distillery, please visit www.rosebank.com
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