Auchtertool Distillery — Lowland Single Malt Whisky

Auchtertool Distillery is a former Scotch whisky distillery located in the village of Auchtertool, Fife, Lowland, Scotland, about four miles west of Kirkcaldy. It was founded in 1845, when an existing local brewery was converted for whisky production, with distilling commencing in 1851. It was closed in 1927 by the Distillers Company Ltd (DCL), and today only a small brick office building survives on the site.

History

Auchtertool's connection to alcohol production predates its life as a distillery by nearly two centuries: the village had operated a brewery from 1650, which built a strong reputation for ale, porter and table beer that was sold throughout Fife and shipped as far as London. In 1845 the brewery was converted into a malt whisky distillery, with production of whisky beginning in 1851. The distillery maintained the site's existing reputation for a quality product through the second half of the 19th century, and was among the many Scottish distilleries visited by Alfred Barnard during the research tour documented in his landmark 1887 book, The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom.

Like many small Lowland distilleries, Auchtertool passed into the ownership of the Distillers Company Ltd (DCL), the industry combine that controlled a large share of Scotch whisky production by the early 20th century. Reported annual output in its later years was around 86,000 gallons.

Quick Facts

• Region: Lowland
• Founded: 1845 (distilling commenced 1851)
• Owner: Distillers Company Ltd (at closure)
• Status: Closed

Closure & Legacy

Distilling at Auchtertool ceased in 1927, when the Distillers Company Ltd closed the distillery for good. The site did not go entirely quiet, however: its maltings and bonded warehouse continued in operation for decades afterwards, until 1973. During the Second World War the warehouses saw an unusual second life, being used as a canteen by Polish soldiers encamped nearby. Most of the distillery's buildings have since been demolished, leaving only a small brick office as a physical trace of the operation. No distillery-branded visitor facilities exist on the site today, and because production ended a century ago, any surviving original Auchtertool bottlings would be exceptionally rare and of significant interest to collectors of lost Lowland malts.