The first site of the former Loch Lomond Distillery dates back to 1814, sited at the north end of Loch Lomond near Tarbet but the present business was established in 1964 by the former owners of the Littlemill Distillery in Bowling.
A striking feature of the distillery is the Pot Malt Stills which was developed the founder of Loch Lomond – Duncan Barton. These innovative pot malt stills rest in the cylindrical necks of the spirit stills where as traditionally the necks of malt stills are open. These stills can produce alcohol up to 90% ABV where normal stills deliver the alcohol at around 70% ABV. This style of still is said to make the process more efficient and allows for different “flavour notes” to be captured and emphasised through the range of alcohol strengths that can be captured and rejected. This is much more difficult to achieve through a conventional pot still.
In 1997, fire breaks out at the distillery destroying around 300,000 litres of whisky. In 2005, the distillery releases Inchmoan, Craiglodge and Inchmurrin whiskies. The firm was sold in 2014 for an undisclosed sum to a private equity firm Exponent which paved way for the formation of Loch Lomond Group whihc is headed by former Diageo executives.
In 2018, Loch Lomond Whiskies announced a 5 year deal as the official spirit of The British Open. In 2020, they also announced a 3 year global partnership & sponsorship agreement with the Pro14 Rugby.
Brands produced in the distillery – Craiglodge, Croftengea, Glen Douglas, Glengarry, Inchfad, Inchmoan, Inchmurrin, Old Rhosdhu
Region: Highland
Area: Dunbartonshire
Current Owner: Loch Lomond Distillers (Loch Lomond Group)
Founded : 1964
Founder : Duncan Thomas and Barton Brands
No. of wash stills: 8
No. of spirit stills: 3
Capacity (litres): 3,00,000.00 (malt) and 20,000,000 litres (grain)
Website: www.lochlomondgroup.com
English