Loch Lomond Distillery
Loch Lomond Distillery is a uniquely versatile Highland distillery in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, situated south of Loch Lomond. It is the only distillery in Scotland capable of producing both malt and grain whisky on the same site — a distinction that underpins its considerable commercial scale and production flexibility. Annual malt whisky capacity is approximately 3 million litres; grain whisky production stands at approximately 20 million litres.
The distillery's most distinctive feature is its array of still types. Three different configurations — pot stills with rectifying columns, traditional pot stills, and Lomond stills — allow the production of multiple distinct single malt character profiles within one facility, each marketed under a separate brand name. Loch Lomond Distillery is not open to the public; all sales are through the online shop and trade channels.
Tours
Not available
On-site Shop
No shop
Online Shop
Available
History
The distillery was established in 1964 by the former owners of the Littlemill Distillery, with production beginning in 1965–1966 in Alexandria. Barton Brands of the United States acquired the operation in 1971; it passed to Amalgamated Distilled Products in 1982. The distillery ceased production in 1984.
Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouses acquired the facility and resumed malt whisky production in 1987. Grain whisky production commenced in 1993, and two new malt stills were added in 1999. A 2014 management buy-in, led by CEO Colin Matthews with support from the Exponent private equity firm, marked the beginning of a significant modernisation and rebranding programme. A secondary buyout in 2019 brought investment from Asian investment firm Hillhouse Capital, funding further expansion and marketing development. The group now also owns Glen's Vodka, one of the UK's leading vodka brands.
Production
Loch Lomond is exceptional for its still diversity: the facility operates four wash stills, four spirit stills, and three column stills. The innovative pot stills feature cylindrical necks with special distillation trays that allow alcohol capture up to 90% ABV (versus typical pot still maximums of approximately 70% ABV). This design produces dramatically different spirit profiles depending on cut points and column use. The grain distillery uses the column stills to produce approximately 20 million litres of grain whisky per year for blending.
Tasting Character
The different still configurations produce four distinct house styles marketed separately:
- Loch Lomond — From the pot still with rectifying column; soft, sweet, and lightly fruity with a clean, approachable character
- Inchmurrin — From traditional pot stills; floral, light, and grassy; named after an island in Loch Lomond
- Inchmoan — The peated version of Inchmurrin; lightly smoky with a gentle peat influence balanced against fresh fruit
- Croftengea — From the Lomond stills with heavily peated malt; robust, smoky, and the most intense expression from the site
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- Loch Lomond 12 Year Old£21.95 — 46% ABV; core expression; soft, sweet, and accessible
- Loch Lomond 18 Year Old£89.95 — 46% ABV; extended maturation; deeper and more complex
- Inchmurrin 12 Year Old£38.95 — 46% ABV; floral and grassy Lowland-adjacent style
- Inchmurrin 18 Year Old£89.95 — 46% ABV; additional complexity and fruit depth
- Inchmoan 12 Year Old£42.00 — 46% ABV; lightly peated; smoke and fruit in balance
- Croftengea — NAS; heavily peated; the smokiest face of Loch Lomond
- Loch Lomond Single Grain£30.00 — 46% ABV; showcases the lighter grain spirit production
Buy their whiskey
1 Loch Lomond Distillery bottle stocked across 1 retailer.
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Visiting
No visitor centre is available and public tours are not offered. An online shop is available at lochlomondwhiskies.com. Loch Lomond whisky is the official spirit of The Open Championship (golf), a connection that has significantly raised the brand's international profile.
Official Website
