Whisky Focus - Stills Now Installed At Rosebank Distillery

Stills Now Installed At Rosebank Distillery


11th March 2022
Rosebank distillery takes a step closer to going into production with the delivery of three stills which have been made to the exact dimensions of the originals.

Arrival of new stills at the Rosebank distillery.

Rosebank distillery has taken a huge step towards going into production with the installation of three new bespoke stills which have been made to the exact dimensions of the originals.

The installation of the three stills is a landmark moment for the Lowland whisky brand’s revival. As fans of the Rosebank whisky will know, Rosebank’s much-loved signature style was created through a unique combination of triple distillation and worm-tub condensing. The former creates a lighter style of spirit, while the latter gives the liquid a rich thickness. With this in mind Ian Macleod Distillers, the company behind the Rosebank distillery revival secured the original still blueprints from Abercrombie Coppersmiths when purchasing the distillery to enable them to replicate the distillation process used three decades ago.

The blueprints were then passed to renowned still-makers, Forsyths, who have gone to great lengths to emulate the originals. The stills have been meticulously crafted to the exact dimensions of those used on-site three decades ago, ensuring every step is taken to emulate that celebrated Lowland spirit of years gone by.

Richard Forsyth Sr., managing director of Forsyths, commented that the processes used to make the stills are remarkably similar to what they were decades ago. "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 mechanize it as much as possible, but the finishes we produce are still very much hands-on, and it's a very physical job."

Newly appointed Distillery Manager, Malcolm Rennie, who was on hand to greet the stills, 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."

New stills in situ at the new Rosebank distillery.

Obtaining the original blueprints was imperative as the Rosebank stills are "quite different from your average still", according to Malcolm Rennie. He added: "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."

Externally, the Rosebank distillery has made great progress in recent months and is set to be completed by late summer 2022. Its distinctive 108ft chimney is now complemented by a contemporary sloping, stepped roof.

This mix of original and modern architecture is an apt metaphor for how the distillery is being brought back to life while still respecting its distillation style and local legacy.

Rennie finished: "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."

It will be a few years yet before whisky enthusiasts will be able to taste whisky produced at the new Rosebank distillery but meanwhile you can still find a small selection of rare and increasingly scarce Rosebank single malt whisky bottlings produced at the old Rosebank distillery available from specialist online whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop, Hard To Find Whisky and Master of Malt
 

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