Everything you need to know about Rosebank Distillery

A brief History

Rosebank, Lowlands Region, Scotland. Founded in 1840.

Rosebank Distillery is one of the most famous names in Lowland Scotch whisky. Located in Falkirk, Scotland, beside the Forth & Clyde Canal, the distillery built a reputation for producing elegant and refined single malt whisky.

Although distilling on the site dates back to the late 18th century, the Rosebank distillery that whisky enthusiasts recognise today was officially founded in 1840 by James Rankine. Over the years, Rosebank became known for a distinctive production style that included triple distillation, a method more commonly associated with Irish whiskey. This process helped create a light, delicate spirit that many considered the classic Lowland style.

Production stopped in 1993, and for many years Rosebank became a legendary “lost distillery,” with older bottles becoming highly sought after by collectors. However, the story did not end there. The distillery has since been rebuilt and revived, with new production restarting in the early 2020s under new ownership.

Explore all Lowlands Whisky

Taste Profile


Malty / Cereal	Fruity	Herbal / Grassy

Rosebank whiskies are often described as elegant and fresh. Light orchard fruits such as apple and pear appear alongside citrus notes and honey sweetness.

The whisky’s triple distillation creates a particularly smooth spirit, while the Lowland barley character brings gentle grassy and malty notes. The overall result is a delicate whisky with a clean and balanced finish.

Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients

	Apple / Pear
	Malt / Biscuit / Toast
	Honey
	Citrus (Lemon / Orange Zest)

The Distillery

The Distiller: Rosebank Distillery
Address: Camelon Rd, Falkirk FK1 5SQ

Open in Maps

www.rosebank.com

+44 (0)1324 627017

Visitor Centre & Opening Times

Yes — the revived Rosebank distillery includes a visitor experience.

Typical opening hours

Wednesday – Sunday
Around 10:00 – 17:00

Tours explore both the historic distillery story and the new production facilities.

Ownership History

Founder

James Rankine (1840)

Later Ownership

Scottish Malt Distillers
United Distillers

Current Owner

Ian Macleod Distillers

Ian Macleod purchased the site and rebuilt the distillery, restarting production decades after its closure.

Distillery Facts

Overview & History

Rosebank Distillery is located in Falkirk in the Scottish Lowlands and was originally founded in 1840 by James Rankine. The distillery stood on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal, which historically allowed whisky to be transported easily by boat.

Rosebank became known as one of the finest examples of the Lowland whisky style, producing a light and elegant spirit. However, the distillery was closed in 1993 during the Scotch whisky industry downturn.

In 2017, Ian Macleod Distillers purchased the site and the Rosebank brand. The distillery was rebuilt and production restarted in 2023, bringing the historic Lowland distillery back into operation.

Production

Spirit Type: Single malt Scotch whisky
Region: Lowlands
Distillation: Traditionally triple distilled
Stills: Copper pot stills
Cask Policy: Mainly ex-bourbon maturation with some sherry influence

Triple distillation is relatively rare in Scotland and contributes to the distillery’s lighter, refined spirit.

Whisky Style

Rosebank whisky is typically characterised by:

Light, delicate body
Floral and grassy notes
Lemon and citrus zest
Honey and vanilla sweetness
Clean, elegant finish

The style is considered a classic example of traditional Lowland whisky.

Key Expressions

Because the distillery was closed for decades, most available bottles come from historic stock:

Rosebank 12 Year Old – Classic official bottling from the 1990s
Rosebank 21 Year Old – Limited official releases
Various rare independent bottlings from older casks

New whisky from the restarted distillery will require several years of maturation before release.

Significance

Rosebank is one of the most famous “lost” Lowland distilleries and was highly respected for its elegant whisky style. Bottles from the original distillery became extremely collectible after its closure.

The reopening of the distillery represents one of the most notable whisky revival projects in Scotland, restoring a historic name that played an important role in the development of Lowland single malt whisky.