| Country | scotland |
| Region | Lowland |
| Established | 2023 |
| Owner | Muckle Brig Ltd. |
| Type | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Number of stills | 1 wash still, 1 spirit still |
| Visitor center | Yes |
| Status | Active |
| Phone | n/a |
Port of Leith Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located in Leith, the port district of Edinburgh, Lowland, Scotland. It was founded in 2023 and is currently owned by Muckle Brig Ltd. It is notable as the first vertical distillery built in the United Kingdom, a nine-storey tower on a small waterfront plot overlooking the Firth of Forth.
Port of Leith Distillery was founded by Edinburgh whisky enthusiasts Paddy Fletcher and Ian Stirling, who had previously established the Lind & Lime gin distillery nearby. Facing a very constrained site nea the historic port, the founders designed the distillery to rise vertically rather than sprawl horizontally, submitting a planning application in 2017 that was approved in 2019. Construction began in 2020 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the roughly £12 million building eventually reaching nine storeys. The distillery opened to the public on 11 October 2023, and production of new make spirit began in early 2024. The building sits close to Ocean Terminal and the Royal Yacht Britannia, and includes a top-floor bar with panoramic views over Edinburgh and the Forth. Because Scotch whisky must mature in oak casks for a minimum of three years, the distillery's own single malt was not expected to be ready for release until at least 2027; in the meantime it operates as a working distillery, visitor attraction and cask ownership venture under its "Quality Control Division" membership scheme.
As a very young distillery, Port of Leith does not yet have a matured single malt core range; its own whisky was still maturing as of 2026, with a first official release anticipated once stock reaches the legal minimum age. In the meantime, the site's bars pour a curated "new-wave whisky" collection from other producers, and the distillery offers private cask ownership through its Quality Control Division membership programme, along with guided tours that include a personal bottle-filling experience of new make spirit.
Port of Leith distillery is located at 11 Whisky Quay, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6FH, Scotland.
Port of Leith distillery was founded in 2023.
Port of Leith distillery is owned by Muckle Brig Ltd..
Port of Leith distillery is from Lowland, scotland.
Yes, Port of Leith distillery welcomes visitors.
You can buy Port of Leith 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.