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Everything you need to know about St. Magdalene Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
A brief History
St Magdalene, Lowland Region, Scotland. Founded in 1798.
St Magdalene, often referred to as Linlithgow Distillery, is one of Scotland's most famous lost distilleries. Located in the historic town of Linlithgow between Edinburgh and Falkirk, the distillery operated for almost two centuries before closing in 1983 during a difficult period for the Scotch whisky industry.
Founded in 1798 by Andrew Bonthrone, the distillery was originally known as Linlithgow Distillery before later becoming known as St Magdalene. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it built a reputation for producing a refined Lowland single malt with a distinctive grassy and citrus-led character.
Like many distilleries of its era, St Magdalene changed ownership several times and became part of the Distillers Company Limited (DCL), which later evolved into United Distillers and eventually Diageo.
When the distillery closed in 1983, production ceased permanently. Although the buildings still survive, whisky enthusiasts can only experience St Magdalene through increasingly rare and collectable bottlings produced before closure.
Today, St Magdalene is regarded as one of Scotland's most sought-after closed distilleries.
Flavour Profile:
 |
 |
 |
| Malty / Cereal |
Fruity | Herbal / Grassy |
St Magdalene is renowned for its elegant Lowland character. Many bottlings display a combination of grassy freshness, citrus fruits and gentle malt sweetness.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
 |
Malt / Biscuit / Toast |
 |
Apple / Pear |
 |
Citrus (Lemon / Orange Zest) |
 |
Honey |
Most Famous Bottles
St Magdalene 19 Year Old Rare Malts Selection
One of the distillery's most famous official releases. Bottled at natural cask strength and highly sought after by collectors.
St Magdalene 30 Year Old Special Releases
Part of Diageo's Special Releases programme and considered one of the finest examples of the distillery's style.
St Magdalene Flora & Fauna 15 Year Old
For many enthusiasts, this remains the most accessible official bottling from the distillery.
St Magdalene Gordon & MacPhail Releases
Independent bottlings that helped preserve the distillery's legacy after closure.
St Magdalene Rare Old Vintage Bottlings
Limited releases from independent bottlers such as Signatory, Douglas Laing and Cadenhead continue to attract strong collector interest.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: St Magdalene Distillery
Address: Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
 Open in maps |
 Unavailable |
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Visitor Centre
No. St Magdalene does not operate a visitor centre.
Although many of the original buildings remain standing, the distillery has not produced whisky since 1983 and is not open as a whisky attraction.
Visitors to Linlithgow can still view parts of the historic site from the surrounding area.
Ownership History
Final Owner
United Distillers (later Diageo) (1983)
The distillery was owned by United Distillers at the time of closure.
Previous Owners
| Dates | Owner |
|---|---|
| 1925–1983 | Distillers Company Limited (DCL) / United Distillers |
| 1912–1925 | Distillers Company Ltd Group |
| 1877–1912 | Ross, Marshall & Co. |
| 1798–1877 | Various Private Owners |
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
St Magdalene Distillery, also known as Linlithgow Distillery, was a historic Lowland Scotch whisky distillery located in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, between Edinburgh and Falkirk. The distillery's origins date back to 1798, although some records suggest whisky production on the site may have begun even earlier.
For much of its history, St Magdalene was operated by the Dawson family before becoming part of Distillers Company Limited (DCL) in the early 20th century. It later became part of Scottish Malt Distillers and remained active until its closure in 1983 during the widespread contraction of the Scotch whisky industry.
Today, the original distillery buildings survive as residential properties, with the iconic pagoda roofs remaining a visible reminder of its whisky-making past.
Production
- Spirit Type: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Location: Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
- Founded: 1798
- Closed: 1983
- Distillation: Double distilled
- Owner at Closure: Scottish Malt Distillers
- Style: More robust and characterful than many traditional Lowland malts
Unlike many Lowland distilleries, St Magdalene produced a spirit known for its weight, texture and complexity rather than an exclusively light and delicate style.
Whisky Style
St Magdalene whisky is often characterised by:
- Fresh grassy notes
- Citrus fruits
- Malted cereal character
- Waxy texture
- Herbal complexity
- Light earthy spice
- Long, elegant finish
Its distinctive waxy character has become one of the hallmarks sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Notable Releases
- Rare Malts Selection 19 Year Old
- Rare Malts Selection 23 Year Old
- Diageo Special Releases
- Gordon & MacPhail Vintage Bottlings
- Signatory Vintage Single Casks
- Cadenhead's Independent Releases
Most modern releases come from independent bottlers, as the distillery has remained closed since 1983.
Significance
St Magdalene is widely regarded as one of Scotland's most celebrated lost distilleries. As remaining stocks continue to diminish, bottles have become increasingly rare and highly collectible.
Its combination of classic Lowland freshness, waxy texture and limited availability has earned the distillery legendary status among Scotch whisky enthusiasts, making it one of the most sought-after silent distilleries in Scotland.
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