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The
Distillery at Coleburn unveils first 'Local Heros' Batch
of blended malt Scotch whiskies.
Nestled in the heart of Speyside, The
Distillery at Coleburn has launched its
inaugural Local Heros series of blended
malt Scotch whiskies, Sherry Bomb, Sweet
Peat and Big Smoke, marking a
bold new chapter in the revival of one
of Scotland’s historic whisky sites.
This debut batch celebrates not just
whisky, but the communities,
craftsmanship and landscapes that have
shaped its story over generations.
A Storied Past Reawakens
Coleburn Distillery was established in
1897 by Dundee blenders John Robertson &
Son, with the iconic Charles Doig—the
architect behind many of Speyside’s most
celebrated distilleries—responsible for
its design. In its early decades,
Coleburn gained recognition not for
single malt releases, but for the
high-quality spirit it supplied to
blends such as J&G Stewart’s Usher’s and
Johnnie Walker Red Label.
During the mid-20th century, the
distillery became a centre for
innovation, experimenting with new
production techniques and equipment
refinements that would go on to
influence whisky-making practices across
Speyside. However, amid the industry’s
overproduction crisis—often referred to
as the "whisky loch"—Coleburn was
mothballed in 1985, and its licence was
formally withdrawn in 1992.
In 2004, brothers Dale and Mark
Winchester purchased the Coleburn site
with a bold ambition to transform it
into a world-class whisky resort,
complete with hospitality facilities,
immersive visitor experiences, and a
fully revived distillery. The site’s
historic dunnage warehouses have already
been reactivated under lease to Aceo /
Murray McDavid, who use them to mature
whiskies while preserving the site’s
authentic character and craftsmanship.
Now, the Winchester team is advancing
its vision to re-establish Coleburn as
both a heritage landmark and a modern,
working distillery. To realise this,
they have appointed esteemed master
distiller Keith Cruickshank and engaged
sustainable design experts Organic
Architects to lead the restoration and
guide the project toward full
production, which is targeted to
commence in 2027.
Introducing
The Distillery at Coleburn Local Heros Batch 1
The Local Heros series is designed as a
tribute—to the people, crafts,
distilleries and landscapes whose
collective talents inform every dram.
The name also carries a personal echo:
co-owners Mark and Dale Winchester made
a cameo and contributed to the
soundtrack of the 1983 film Local Hero,
and they view this new collection as a
bridge between heritage, locality, and
shared storytelling.
The first trio of blended malt Scotch whisky expressions—Sweet
Peat, Big Smoke, and Sherry Bomb—are
said to offer an
approachable entry point into Coleburn’s new era:
- Sherry Bomb
Blended Malt
is drawn from Oloroso and refill
casks, said to present notes of spice,
honey, red apple and cinnamon. On
the palate, dried fruits, hazelnut
and stewed plums unfold into a
smooth, elegant finish. No age
statement and bottled at 46% ABV.
RRP £50
- Sweet Peat
is a gentle smoky introduction: its
nose is said to evoke caramel, vanilla and
plum pudding, while the palate moves
through honey, pear drops and
banana, balanced by light smoke and
tobacco, culminating in a long,
sweet smoky finish. No age statement
and bottled at 46% ABV. RRP £52.50
- Big Smoke is
the boldest of the trio, described
as opening
with cherry, vanilla, lemon and
coastal air. Medicinal smoke, banana
and sea salt define the palate,
leading into a lingering smoky
finish. No age statement and bottled
at 46% ABV. RRP £55
All three are
blended malts, crafted and bottled on
site at Coleburn’s historic facility.
What This Means for Coleburn’s Future
The release of Local Heros Batch 1 is
more than a product launch—it’s a
statement of intent. It signals the
transition of Coleburn from a dormant
relic to an active participant in
Scotland’s whisky revival. Supported by
a renewed architectural vision,
sustainable practices, and a master
distiller on board, Coleburn is poised
to grow over time into the full whisky
resort it was always meant to become.
With these first small-batch
expressions, the distillery invites
whisky lovers into its new
chapter—raising a glass to both the past
and the promise still ahead.
You will soon find the all three Local Heros blended malt Scotch
whiskies available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
Amazon
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