History

Glenesk was founded in 1897 by the Dundee wine merchant James Isle as the Highland Esk Distillery and was later renamed North Esk Distillery (1899). After a fire in 1910, much of the plant was rebuilt. Production was interrupted in 1917, and the buildings were used for other purposes at times and under changing ownership. In 1938 Associated Scottish Distillers (ASD) purchased it and redirected the operation to grain whisky (Montrose Distillery). Thereafter ownership passed through DCL and SMD, which first converted it to malt and in 1964 renamed it Hillside and finally Glenesk again in 1980. The distillery was mothballed in 1985, the license cancelled in 1992, and in 1996 the last stills were removed and the buildings were partially demolished. The remaining property is Glenesk Maltings, which was later expanded into a large malting complex (maltings) and has remained outside of distillation activity.

Production / Manufacturing

Glenesk began as a malt distillery in 1897 and produced malt whisky. In 1938 production was switched to grain whisky under ASD, and in 1954 ownership passed to DCL and the operation changed again, with four pot stills established. In 1964 the site was transferred to SMD and converted back to malt whisky with four stills. In 1968 a large drum malting complex was opened. In 1980 the name was changed again to Glenesk and its distribution was tied to VAT 69. The last distillation unit was removed in 1996, and since then the buildings have primarily operated as a malting facility.

Products / Whisky Series

Traditionally Glenesk was an important component in the VAT 69 blend, bottled in South Queensferry by William Sanderson. Some single malt expressions were also released under the Hillside name, and there were a few bottlings in the Rare Malt Series as well as in the SMWS portfolio – which are now considered rare auction items.

Visits / Experiences

Guided tours available: No. According to data, guided tours are not available.

Philosophy

No information in the provided text about Glenesk's philosophy.