Whisky making back in city after 170 years
Whisky making is to return to Stirling city for the first time in 170 years.
Stirling Distillery at the Top of the Town, which opened in 2019, and until now has focused on gin production, is launching a limited edition VI Casks for King James single malt.
The name was chosen as it is thought that the distillery stands on a site which King James VI had used as stables for horses.
Production is set to start at the Lower Castlehill small craft distillery this year.
Stirling Distillery is co- owned by Bridge of Allan couple Cameron and June Mccann.
Cameron said this week: “Whisky hasn’t been produced in Stirling since 1852 when the original Stirling Distillery closed its doors.
“The VI Casks of King James whisky will be created in the first legal distillery to sit on the castle rock, in the shadow of Stirling Castle.
“Like all our products, we wanted to tell the story of Stirling and its rich history through them, so the VI Casks for King James was born.
“There is anecdotal evidence that King James VI stabled horses on or next to the distillery building.
“This was shared with us when we purchased the building.”
The original Stirling Distillery stood on Shore Road within a meander of the Forth south of Queen’s Haugh.
It was first licensed in 1816, but production was intermittent and it closed its doors in 1852.
The building occupied by Stirling
Distillery is known as the Old Smiddy which dates from 1888.
The VI Casks for King James will be laid down in a traditional dunnage in sight of
Stirling Castle with minimal temperature variation between seasons.
Casks used to finish the whisky comprise sherry, bourbon, rum, wine, port and madeira.
The bottles will be released bi-annually from 2027.
There will only be 300 bottles from a single cask and each set of six bottles will cost £350.
June Mccann added: “Like all single malts, our whisky will be left in the barrel for three years, however the VI Casks for King James will be released at five to seven years old.”
Stirling Distillery have been selling the Sons of Scotland independent bottling whisky range since 2021 from casks from distilleries across Scotland.
The VI Casks for King James will be their first new-make spirit.
Like all our products, we wanted to tell the story of Stirling and its rich history through them