Lowland distillery Rosebank has announced that Malcolm Rennie, who has worked with Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Glen Moray, Lochlea and many more, will join as its new distillery manager, ahead of the site re-opening which has been confirmed for late summer this year.
Rennie joins with 35 years of distilling expertise, and has most recently helped bring Ayrshire’s Lochlea Distillery to life – he was there for every step in the process, from a field of barley on Lochlea Farm all the way through to a mature 3-year-old whisky. He’s also no stranger to reviving a sleeping giant, having helped reopen the Annandale Distillery after 90 years.
Commenting on his new role, Rennie said: “Rosebank is an iconic distillery, so it is an absolute honour to be given the opportunity to help bring it back to life.
“The whisky is incredibly well-regarded in the industry because of its unique and somewhat contradictory production process. The triple distillation gives you a light and fruity spirit, but then we run it through a worm-tub condenser which adds real body, texture and weight to the new make.
“Beyond just the whisky, Rosebank represents the life and memories of the local Falkirk community. It’s a town with an intrinsic connection to the distillery – many of whom are reminded of the smells and sounds of whisky at the mere sight of the iconic chimney.
"Despite construction delays as a result of the pandemic, the distillery build has moved on apace in recent months, with production due to begin towards the end of summer."
As Rosebank’s distillery manager, Rennie will oversee the entire production process. He will work with Ian Macleod Distillers’ group distillation manager, Robbie Hughes, and malt master, John Glass.
Rennie continued, “Our ambition is to recreate that unctuous, floral spirit that everyone remembers and loves. With limited stocks remaining from the 90s, there’s no doubt it will be a challenge, but we won’t stop until we get that perfect Rosebank balance correct.”
Rennie joins with 35 years of distilling expertise, and has most recently helped bring Ayrshire’s Lochlea Distillery to life – he was there for every step in the process, from a field of barley on Lochlea Farm all the way through to a mature 3-year-old whisky. He’s also no stranger to reviving a sleeping giant, having helped reopen the Annandale Distillery after 90 years.
Commenting on his new role, Rennie said: “Rosebank is an iconic distillery, so it is an absolute honour to be given the opportunity to help bring it back to life.
“The whisky is incredibly well-regarded in the industry because of its unique and somewhat contradictory production process. The triple distillation gives you a light and fruity spirit, but then we run it through a worm-tub condenser which adds real body, texture and weight to the new make.
“Beyond just the whisky, Rosebank represents the life and memories of the local Falkirk community. It’s a town with an intrinsic connection to the distillery – many of whom are reminded of the smells and sounds of whisky at the mere sight of the iconic chimney.
"Despite construction delays as a result of the pandemic, the distillery build has moved on apace in recent months, with production due to begin towards the end of summer."
As Rosebank’s distillery manager, Rennie will oversee the entire production process. He will work with Ian Macleod Distillers’ group distillation manager, Robbie Hughes, and malt master, John Glass.
Rennie continued, “Our ambition is to recreate that unctuous, floral spirit that everyone remembers and loves. With limited stocks remaining from the 90s, there’s no doubt it will be a challenge, but we won’t stop until we get that perfect Rosebank balance correct.”
