The real story of Littlemill distillery began over two centuries ago. In 1750, Archibald Buchanan purchased Auchentorlie estate, just a few miles west of Loch Lomond on the banks of the river Clyde from his brother Andrew and with it, a brewery called Littlemill.
Littlemill started producing whisky legally in 1772, when owner Archibald Buchanan of Glasgow built accommodation for the excisemen. In a less official capacity the site - formerly a brewery attached to Dunglass Castle - may have been used for distilling liquor since the early 14th century.
Littlemill passed through the hands of several individuals and businesses until it was acquired by Glen Catrine in the 1990s. However, the distillery fell silent in 1994 and was destroyed by fire in 2004, never to produce a drop again.
Happily, the spirit lives on in our sought-after bottlings. Rare amongst Lowland malts in using a Highland water source, as well as peat from Stornoway and Perthshire, Littlemill is known for a subtly floral, vanilla-rich sweetness.
Alongside the breathtaking core releases, Littlemill is also available as an exclusive private cask allowing whisky drinkers, collectors and investors to own a significant part of whisky-making history and lore.
THROUGH A SERIES OF PIONEERS AND TRAIL-BLAZERS AT ITS HELM, LITTLEMILL CREATED A LOWLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY OF EXCEPTIONAL CHARACTER.
Regrettably, Littlemill was lost before its contribution to the world of whisky could ever be applauded. Having closed its doors in 1994 and then further been tragically lost to fire, the distillery is consigned to history, with the last precious casks owned by Loch Lomond Group. Today, just one last pioneer in the legacy of Littlemill remains: a guardian of the past traditions and innovations that set this rare Single Malt Scotch Whisky apart.
UNDER THE EXPERT SUPERVISION OF OUR MASTER BLENDER, MICHAEL HENRY, THE VERY LAST REMAINING CASKS ARE GIVEN HIS PERSONAL ATTENTION DURING THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF MATURATION, UNTIL THE WHISKY IS FINALLY BOTTLED AND RELEASED.
With over 30 years experience and direct responsibility for the rare, precious liquid that remains, no one has a more intimate understanding of the character of Littlemill Single Malt Scotch Whisky and how to preserve it. Like any masterpiece, each cask and bottle released today benefits from the patience, passion and knowledge Michael pours into every drop. As the final guardian in the Littlemill legacy, you can be assured that every final release is outstanding.
“Quite unlike anything else, Littlemill is a beautiful summer whisky, whose characteristics reveal gentle vanilla and floral notes on the nose, with the sweetness of honey and creamy fudge, accompanied on the palate by classic Lowland fresh fruits. It’s an entirely unique and very special character, which we work to preserve without compromise”.
– Michael Henry, Master Blender, Loch Lomond Group
IN THE 1770’S, THE ANCIENT CRAFT OF SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLING AND THE ORIGINS OF THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY SHARED A MOMENT IN TIME THAT WOULD SHAPE HISTORY.
This Littlemill 250th Anniversary release is a celebration of this time of enlightenment, and of the elevated, ethereal crafts of distilling and photography, and is dedicated to the craftsmen and the storytellers who hold extraordinary knowledge of these ancient art forms, each tasked with preserving their secrets as the years go by. Today, in the expert hands of our Master Blender and the artists who have contributed their skills to the 250th Edition, we have created a whisky that allows the fortunate few a very rare glimpse of the past. To celebrate this rare milestone, Michael Henry collaborated with kindred spirit and fellow pioneer, Austrian photographer, Stefan Sappert.
FOR THIS SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY, IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT THE LITTLEMILL 250TH EDITION DRAWS ON THE OLDEST AND RAREST RESERVES OF OUR LAST REMAINING LIQUID.
Littlemill Testament is a celebration of the legacy of the distillery. 250 limited edition bottles were created as a true celebration of Littlemill’s history as Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, alongside four unique special editions each individually crafted with pieces of the original distillery.
Littlemill Testament is a celebration of the legacy of the distillery. 250 limited edition bottles were created as a true celebration of Littlemill’s history as Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, alongside four unique special editions each individually crafted with pieces of the original distillery.
The final legacy of Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery.
