Tullibardine

Tullibardine Distillery, nestled in the historic town of Blackford, boasts a remarkable lineage in the world of alcohol production, dating back over six centuries. This storied site once housed a brewery operational since at least 1488, famously serving King James IV after his coronation at Scone. Distillation attempts were made, with the first Tullibardine distillery established in 1798 and a subsequent one in 1814, though neither endured.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and the rich brewing and distillation traditions seemed to wane until 1949. Renowned distillery designer William Delme-Evans purchased the Gleneagles Brewery site in Blackford, bringing it to life as the new Tullibardine Distillery. It was a historic milestone as the first distillery built in Scotland since 1900.

In 1953, blender Brodie Hepburn acquired Tullibardine, expanding its capacity and later falling under the ownership of Invergordon Distillers. The distillery contributed a light, nutty malt primarily used in blends. Tullibardine eventually found itself in the Whyte & Mackay portfolio, experiencing a period of dormancy from 1994 to 2003.

Resurrection came in 2003 when a consortium acquired Tullibardine, embarking on an ambitious project. They initiated an extensive re-casking operation to enhance the whisky's quality, introduced "finished" expressions, and even considered a retail park venture on the site. In 2011, the distillery found new ownership under French wine and spirits group Picard, known for brands like Highland Queen and Muirhead's.