🥃 Rosebank
Distillery and Lowland single malt Scotch brand in Camelon near Falkirk; founded in 1840, closed in 1993, distilling again since 2023; non-peated, triple distilled; owned by Ian Macleod Distillers.
Rosebank is the Lowland single malt that came back from the dead: a distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand in Camelon, Falkirk, on the Forth & Clyde Canal in the Scottish Lowlands. According to the producer, the whisky is a non-peated, triple distilled Lowland single malt.
History. The distillery began operating in 1840 on the banks of the canal; it was founded by James Rankine, a local wine merchant. From the First World War it belonged to the Distillers Company, whose blends took almost all of its output. Rosebank closed in 1993, and in 2008 copper thieves broke in and destroyed the stills.
Revival. In 2017 Ian Macleod Distillers announced that it had rescued Rosebank. The company, which also owns Glengoyne and Tamdhu, rebuilt the distillery: the Victorian red brick and the chimney stack were preserved, and a modern building was added. New-make spirit has been produced since 5 June 2023, almost 30 years after the closure.
How it is made. Three pot stills distil the spirit three times, and the vapour is condensed in traditional worm tubs. The producer links the fruity, floral style to triple distillation.
Legal status. Under the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made in Scotland, matured in oak casks of up to 700 litres for at least three years and bottled at no less than 40% ABV.
Why it matters to you. Check the age and the strength on the label. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1840, James Rankine, Camelon (Falkirk); closed 1993; new-make spirit again from 5 June 2023 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky) |
| Raw material | non-peated malted barley |
| Distillation method | three times, in three pot stills; worm tubs |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Rosebank → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Lowland whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Glenkinchie, 🥃 Auchentoshan, 🥃 Glengoyne
Frequently asked questions
Did Rosebank close for good in 1993?
No. The distillery closed in 1993, but Ian Macleod Distillers rescued it in 2017, and new-make spirit has been produced since 5 June 2023.
When was Rosebank founded?
Rosebank began operating in 1840 on the Forth & Clyde Canal, founded by James Rankine, a local wine merchant.
Who owns Rosebank?
Ian Macleod Distillers, since 2017; the company also owns Glengoyne and Tamdhu.
Is Rosebank peated, and how is it distilled?
It is a non-peated Lowland single malt, distilled three times in three pot stills and condensed in worm tubs.
What makes Rosebank a Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
Under the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, it is made in Scotland, matured in oak casks of up to 700 litres for at least three years and bottled at no less than 40% ABV (80 proof).
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden vessel made of oak staves in which wine matures, picks up new aromas and slowly takes in air.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
Similar
🥃 Bladnoch · 🥃 Teaninich · 🥃 Glen Elgin · 🥃 Glen Ord · 🥃 Glengyle · 🥃 Benrinnes
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Rosebank: Our Story (official site of the distillery, owner Ian Macleod Distillers)
- Rosebank: The Great Revival (official site; Ian Macleod Distillers, 2017; three pot stills, worm tubs)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)