Glenesk Whisky

Glenesk was a Highland single malt distillery near Montrose in Angus, with a history as changeable as any in Scotch whisky. Founded in 1897 on the site of a former flax mill, it operated under several names during its life, including Highland Esk, North Esk, Montrose and Hillside, before finally becoming Glenesk in 1980.

The distillery’s production history was unusually varied, shifting between malt and grain whisky at different points under different owners. It eventually became part of the Distillers Company Limited and its successor interests, with the Glenesk name now sitting within Diageo’s inherited portfolio. Production ceased in 1985, the stills were later removed, and most of the distillery buildings were demolished in the 1990s.

Glenesk was never a widely promoted single malt during its active years, so surviving bottlings are relatively scarce. Official releases are rare, and many examples come from independent bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail. The whisky is generally associated with a lighter Highland profile, showing malt, citrus, honey, orchard fruit, vanilla and gentle spice, with older casks developing more wax, polished oak and soft dried fruit.

Glenesk is now valued as much for its unusual industrial story as for its whisky. Its remaining bottles preserve the character of a distillery that repeatedly changed name, purpose and style before disappearing entirely, making it one of the more distinctive lost names of the eastern Highlands.