Coleburn Distillery
About the distillery
Coleburn is located in Speyside near Elgin, and is a disused distillery with a history that begins in 1897. It became known for a light, sweet, and fruity style, but most of the spirit went into blends. Today, the name lives on through a few bottlings and through plans to restart the site as part of a larger whisky resort.
History
Coleburn Distillery was founded in 1897 by Robertson & Sons of Dundee, and Charles Doig was brought in for the construction. The name came from the area’s connection to charcoal production. The construction was completed in 1899, and production began the same year. As early as 1913 the distillery was closed, but in 1916 it was sold to the Clynelish Distillery Company, formed by John Walker, John Risk and Distillers Company Ltd., and production began again. When DCL took over the company in 1930, Coleburn became part of the group and was later run by Scottish Malt Distillers. The distillery was completely renovated in the 1960s and produced until 1985, when it was mothballed. The license was returned in 1992, and the buildings were later sold in 2004. From 2014, the dunnage warehouses were taken into use again, and in 2025 there were concrete plans to reopen the site, with Keith Cruickshank as Master Distiller.
Raw materials and production
Coleburn’s production is only partially described in the available material, but the main characteristics are clear: the distillery operated in Speyside, and the spirit is described as light, sweet, and fruity. At the time, the documented production was largely aimed at blends, especially Johnnie Walker, and later also other blends. The specific details regarding raw materials, mashing, fermentation, distillation, and water source are not covered in the provided text. With the planned reopening, the goal is to work with timeless methods and a thoughtful production approach, but without further technical specifications in the material, it is not possible to say more precisely about the process line.
Maturation and cask types
The most concrete storage point is the on-site dunnage warehouses, which have been in use again since 2014. The material mentions no details about cask types, finishes, or wood origin for Coleburn whisky, so the picture of maturation must be kept at a general level. At the same time, the described bottlings show that maturation has been able to produce both fruity and spicy expressions, but the specific cask choices are not described.
Whiskies
Coleburn’s official production is back in time, so the range in practice consists of rare single releases and historical bottlings. The most important official release is Diageo’s Rare Malt Edition from 2000, which was the first and only owner bottling. In addition, there are individual independent bottlings, including a Coleburn Rare Old 1972/2013 from Gordon & MacPhail. The overall impression is a small, collectible range, where the historical style and the few bottles carry the distillery’s name forward.
| Whisky | Type / series | Tasting profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleburn Single Malt Whisky | Single Malt; Rare Malt Edition | The first and only official bottling from an owner of Coleburn, bottled by Diageo in 2000, after the distillery had already closed. | Discontinued |
| Coleburn Rare Old 1972/2013 | Single Malt | A limited release from Gordon & MacPhail, limited to 214 bottles.; Nose: Grapefruit, raspberries, pepper, malt and oak. | Current; 214 bottles |
The whiskies’ style and tasting profile
Coleburn is primarily associated with a light sweet, and fruity style. In the documented tasting notes, citrus and grapefruit show up again and again, and there are also clear traces of red berries such as raspberries, along with spice, pepper, malt, and oak. The overall notes also point to sherry, honey, vanilla, caramel, and a faint smokiness, but the fruit and the gentle sweetness are the most distinctive directions.
Visiting the distillery
There is no visitor center, and the distillery does not operate as an open visitor distillery today. At the same time, the area is being used again through the warehouses, and public plans point toward a future whisky resort with lodges, a bistro, and a new distillery. Therefore, there is not yet any talk of a classic visitor offer with tours, tastings, or fixed opening hours.
Philosophy and craftsmanship
The documented value base is especially tied to the revival of the site. Keith Cruickshank highlights respect for craftsmanship, authenticity, and quality, and he describes work with timeless methods and a thoughtful production. The ambition is to create a spirit that reflects Coleburn and the wider Speyside.
Latest news
Plans to reopen Coleburn as a whisky distillery – 2025-08-27
D&M Winchester Ltd has published concrete plans to reopen Coleburn as part of Coleburn Whisky Resort. The project is set to include whisky lodges, a pagoda penthouse, a bistro, and a new distillery, and the goal is annual production of one million liters of whisky. Keith Cruickshank has been appointed Master Distiller.