| Country | scotland |
| Region | Highland |
| Established | 1897 |
| Owner | Diageo |
| Type | Malt (formerly grain) |
| Number of stills | 4 |
| Visitor center | No |
| Status | Closed |
| Phone | n/a |
Glenesk Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located near Montrose, Angus, on Scotland's eastern Highland coast. It was founded in 1897 and closed permanently in 1985, with the distillery buildings demolished in 1996. Few distilleries changed names as often as Glenesk, which operated over its history as Highland Esk, North Esk, Montrose, Hillside, and finally Glenesk.
The distillery was established in 1897 by James Isle, a Dundee wine merchant, on the site of a converted flax mill near Montrose. It opened as the Highland Esk distillery producing grain whisky, but closed during the First World War before reopening. In 1899 it passed to JF Caille and was renamed North Esk. Ownership changed hands again in 1938 when Associated Scottish Distilleries Ltd. (linked to Train & McIntyre Ltd. and National Distillers of America) acquired the site and renamed it Montrose Distillery.
Distillers Company Ltd. (DCL) took control in 1954. In 1964 the site was converted from grain to malt whisky production with the addition of four stills and renamed Hillside distillery. It operated under this name, supplying malt for blends such as Vat 69, until William Sanderson & Sons Ltd. took over in 1980 and gave the site its final and best-known name, Glenesk.
Glenesk was mothballed in 1985 as part of the wider contraction of the Scotch whisky industry in the 1980s and never reopened. The distillery buildings were demolished in 1996, though the associated maltings on the site survived and continued in use. Because Glenesk spent much of its working life as a grain distillery and only made malt whisky for around two decades under its various later names, official single malt bottlings are scarce. Independent bottlers occasionally released casks under the Hillside or Glenesk name, and these bottlings are considered rare collector's items among enthusiasts of "ghost" or lost Scottish distilleries.
Glenesk distillery is located at Montrose, Angus, Scotland.
Glenesk distillery was founded in 1897.
Glenesk distillery is owned by Diageo.
Glenesk distillery is from Highland, scotland.
You can buy Glenesk whisky at Glenbotal.co.uk. We currently stock a selection with free UK delivery on orders over £99.
Last reviewed:
About Glenbotal
The idea of Glenbotal came to us naturaly: as whisky lovers, we were always on the lookout for new experiences in the whisky world. That’s why we created Glenbotal and became our very own first customers. We buy unique and hard to find spirits from auctions, ballots, and private collections. Then, we share them with a small circle of friends and people who can appreciate a good dram.