Rosebank Lowland Single Malt Whisky has taken a big step closer to its distillery revival, with three bespoke stills being installed. The distillery is set to be completed by late summer 2022.
The stills have been made to the exact dimensions of the originals, as distillery owner Ian Macleod Distillers secured the original still blueprints from Abercrombie Coppersmiths. The reopened distillery hereby hopes to replicate the distillation process used three decades ago in new stills crafted by Forsyths.
Rosebank’s previous signature style was created through a combination of triple distillation, which creates a lighter spirit, and worm tub condensing, which lends a rich thickness.
Newly appointed distillery manager Malcolm Rennie commented, “Triple distillation is a very important part in the somewhat nonsensical jigsaw puzzle that is the Rosebank spirit. It generally enhances the lighter, smoother and fruitier components of a spirit, and so is a vital first step in the ‘new’ Rosebank journey.”
Richard Forsyth Sr., managing director of Forsyths, explained, “To this day, we still use our forefathers' hand hammering techniques to shape copper into carefully crafted pot stills. Of course, we've tried to mechanise it as much as possible, but the finishes we produce are still very much hands-on, and it's a very physical job."
The Rosebank stills are “quite different from your average still”, said Malcolm Rennie. “The wash still in particular appears to have its traditional swan neck lopped off and capped and the lyne arm attached to the side of the neck, while the spirit still is on the shorter, dumpier side. All these variations in shape and size are what ultimately contribute further complexity to the Rosebank spirit.”
The Rosebank Distillery is set to reopen later this year, with construction well underway. Its distinctive 108-feet chimney is now complemented by a contemporary sloping, stepped roof.
Rennie added, “Unlike traditional distilleries, Rosebank has a beautiful glass façade, so I’m delighted that passers-by will be able to drink in the beauty of these stills from street-level.”
The stills have been made to the exact dimensions of the originals, as distillery owner Ian Macleod Distillers secured the original still blueprints from Abercrombie Coppersmiths. The reopened distillery hereby hopes to replicate the distillation process used three decades ago in new stills crafted by Forsyths.
Rosebank’s previous signature style was created through a combination of triple distillation, which creates a lighter spirit, and worm tub condensing, which lends a rich thickness.
Newly appointed distillery manager Malcolm Rennie commented, “Triple distillation is a very important part in the somewhat nonsensical jigsaw puzzle that is the Rosebank spirit. It generally enhances the lighter, smoother and fruitier components of a spirit, and so is a vital first step in the ‘new’ Rosebank journey.”
Richard Forsyth Sr., managing director of Forsyths, explained, “To this day, we still use our forefathers' hand hammering techniques to shape copper into carefully crafted pot stills. Of course, we've tried to mechanise it as much as possible, but the finishes we produce are still very much hands-on, and it's a very physical job."
The Rosebank stills are “quite different from your average still”, said Malcolm Rennie. “The wash still in particular appears to have its traditional swan neck lopped off and capped and the lyne arm attached to the side of the neck, while the spirit still is on the shorter, dumpier side. All these variations in shape and size are what ultimately contribute further complexity to the Rosebank spirit.”
The Rosebank Distillery is set to reopen later this year, with construction well underway. Its distinctive 108-feet chimney is now complemented by a contemporary sloping, stepped roof.
Rennie added, “Unlike traditional distilleries, Rosebank has a beautiful glass façade, so I’m delighted that passers-by will be able to drink in the beauty of these stills from street-level.”
