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Everything you need to know about Port Dundas Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Port Dundas 20 Year Old Grain Whisky Lady Of The Glen 2000£129.99 Inc VAT -
Port Dundas 28 Year Old Single Grain Whisky Clan Denny£149.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Port Dundas, Lowlands Region, Scotland. Founded in 1811.
Port Dundas is one of those names that quietly powered the whisky industry without ever really stepping into the spotlight.
Located in Glasgow, it was founded in 1811 and grew into one of the largest grain whisky distilleries in Scotland. This wasn’t a small, character-led single malt operation. It was industrial, efficient, and built to supply the backbone of blended Scotch.
And that’s exactly what it did.
For over 200 years, Port Dundas produced grain whisky used in blends—most notably for big names like Johnnie Walker. You probably won’t have seen “Port Dundas” on many labels, but chances are you’ve tasted it without realising.
The distillery finally closed in 2010, as production was consolidated elsewhere. The buildings were later demolished, marking the end of a major piece of Glasgow’s whisky history.
I tend to think of Port Dundas as the kind of distillery that didn’t need attention to be important. It just did the job—on a massive scale.
Taste Profile
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 |
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| Malty / Cereal | Oaky / Woody | Sweet |
Port Dundas whisky is known for its light, smooth, and slightly sweet character. You’ll often get soft vanilla and caramel notes, backed by a gentle cereal base. The oak tends to be mild, adding a bit of structure without making the whisky feel heavy.
On its own, it’s easy to drink but fairly subtle. In blends, it works as a base—rounding things out and carrying other flavours.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Caramel / Toffee |
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Malt / Biscuit / Toast |
|
Oak / Wood Spice |
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Vanilla |
Popular Port Dundas Bottles
Because it was primarily used for blending, official single grain releases are limited—but they do exist:
- Port Dundas 20–30 Year Old (Independent Bottlings)
Often released by independent bottlers, showing a softer, sweeter side of grain whisky. - Diageo Special Releases (Occasional)
Rare official bottlings highlighting aged stock. - Various Single Grain Releases
Found through independent bottlers, sometimes at higher ages.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Port Dundas Distillery
Address: 100 Port Dundas Rd, Glasgow, Scotland
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Visitor Centre
- Visitor Centre: No
- Tours: Not available
- Status: Closed in 2010, later demolished
There’s no site to visit today.
Ownership & History
Final Owner:
- Diageo
Key Timeline:
- 1811 – Founded in Glasgow
- Expanded significantly during the 19th and 20th centuries
- Became a major grain whisky producer for blends
- 2010 – Closed as production moved to more modern facilities
- Later demolished
Role in Whisky:
- Supplied grain whisky for major blended Scotch brands
- One of Scotland’s largest grain distilleries during operation
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Port Dundas Distillery was a large grain whisky distillery located in Glasgow, Scotland, founded in 1811. It grew into one of the most important industrial whisky sites in the country.
During the 19th century, it expanded significantly and became a major producer of grain whisky for blends. The distillery eventually became part of Diageo’s portfolio and operated at a very large scale.
Port Dundas was closed in 2010, with production transferred to more modern facilities such as Cameronbridge. The site was later demolished, marking the end of one of Glasgow’s historic whisky landmarks.
Production
- Spirit Type: Grain whisky
- Distillation: Continuous column stills
- Scale: Large industrial production
- Primary Role: Supplying grain whisky for blends
The distillery was designed for efficiency and volume, producing light spirit used in many well-known Scotch blends.
Whisky Style
Port Dundas grain whisky is typically described as:
- Light-bodied
- Sweet vanilla and caramel
- Coconut and cream
- Soft cereal notes
- Smooth, gentle finish
With long aging, it can develop deeper oak, spice, and sweetness.
Key Expressions
Port Dundas was not widely bottled as an official brand. Most releases include:
- Independent bottlings
- Aged single grain expressions (often 20–50+ years)
- Rare Diageo special releases
All current bottles come from remaining stocks.
Significance
Port Dundas was one of the largest grain distilleries in Scotland and played a crucial role in the production of blended Scotch whisky.
As a closed distillery, it represents the industrial heritage of Glasgow’s whisky industry, and its remaining aged stocks are now of interest to collectors and enthusiasts.
Port Dundas Whisky to Buy
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Port Dundas 11 Year Old Single Grain Whisky 2004 Single Cask Old ParticularSpecial Price £109.96 Regular Price £129.96 Inc VATSaving £20Out of stock
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Port Dundas 25 Year Old Single Grain Whisky 1988 The Sovereign (no Box)£179.99 Inc VATOut of stock
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