The Glasgow Distillery Company: The City's Single Malt Returns
Updated: 9 hours ago
The Glasgow Distillery Company set out to bring single malt distilling back to the city. Its Glasgow 1770 whisky is named after the year the original Glasgow Distillery Company was founded.
In this guide
Summarise this guide with AI
The Glasgow Distillery Company at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | The Glasgow Distillery Company |
Country and region | Lowland, Scotland |
Owner / operator | The Glasgow Distillery Company |
Historical background | Alongside Glasgow 1770 the company makes Makar Gin, Malt Riot blended whisky, Banditti Club Rum and G52 Vodka. It says its products are sold in over 25 countries. |
Whisky identity | Modern Glasgow lowland single malt distillery |
Visitor planning | Check the producer's official site for current tours and operating hours. |
Join the The Glasgow Distillery Company whisky community poll
Which whiskies have you tried? What should Whisky Clan review next? Open the highlighted poll below, answer four quick questions and share your preferences with the community.
TAKE THE THE GLASGOW DISTILLERY COMPANY COMMUNITY POLL · 4 QUICK QUESTIONS
Answer four quick questions to see real reader percentages. No account or email is required.
Quick facts
Location: Hillington, on the outskirts of Glasgow
Incorporated: December 2012 by founders Liam Hughes and Mike Hayward
First whisky cask filled: 5 March 2015
First single malt release: June 2018, 5,000 bottles of Glasgow 1770
Output: around 200,000 litres of alcohol a year after the 2019 still expansion, per the distillery
Timeline from the official story
1770: the original Glasgow Distillery Company is founded. It closed in 1902
2013: a site is found in Hillington and a repurposed warehouse is fitted out
2014: the first still arrives and Makar Gin becomes the first product in October
2015: two copper pot whisky stills are installed in January and the first cask is filled on 5 March
2018: Glasgow 1770 is launched in June and the 5,000 bottles sell out in under 48 hours
2019: two more whisky stills are installed in August, and Glasgow 1770 Peated launches in September
2020: Triple Distilled completes the Signature Range, and the Malt Riot blended malt arrives
2020: named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards in November
2024: the warehousing footprint more than doubles, including an on-site maturation warehouse
2025: Cask No. 1 reaches 10 years old on 5 March
Other spirits
Alongside Glasgow 1770 the company makes Makar Gin, Malt Riot blended whisky, Banditti Club Rum and G52 Vodka. It says its products are sold in over 25 countries.
Timeline from the official story
The Glasgow Distillery Company says it was incorporated in December 2012 by founders Liam Hughes and Mike Hayward, named after the original Glasgow Distillery Company founded in 1770 and closed in 1902. It found a site in Hillington on the outskirts of Glasgow in August 2013.
October 2014: Makar Original Dry Gin launched, the first product
January 2015: two copper pot whisky stills installed, a 2,500 litre wash still and a 1,500 litre spirit still
5 March 2015: the first cask of single malt filled
June 2018: Glasgow 1770 single malt launched, with 5,000 bottles of the first release selling out in under 48 hours via an online ballot
August 2019: two replica stills added, raising output to around 200,000 litres of alcohol a year
2020: Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled and the blended malt Malt Riot launched, and the distillery named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards
March 2024: warehousing expanded with an on-site maturation warehouse
Reach: products in over 25 countries
Sources and gaps
Source: glasgowdistillery.com Our Story page, read 20 October 2026. No Wikipedia article exists
Gaps to confirm: current ownership, ABVs, tour details
Slug planned: glasgow-distillery-company
Further source read on 21 October 2026: Glasgow Distillery Company Our Story timeline.
What makes The Glasgow Distillery Company distinctive?
Modern Glasgow lowland single malt distillery
The Glasgow Distillery Company whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Glasgow 1770 Original | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Modern Glasgow lowland single malt distillery |
Glasgow 1770 Peated | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Modern Glasgow lowland single malt distillery |
Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Modern Glasgow lowland single malt distillery |
The table records named or historical expressions. Exact availability, strength and provenance can change; consult the producer for current details.
Explore related distilleries
Frequently asked questions about The Glasgow Distillery Company
Where is The Glasgow Distillery Company located?
Lowland, Scotland.
Who owns or operates The Glasgow Distillery Company?
The Glasgow Distillery Company.
What makes The Glasgow Distillery Company distinctive?
Modern Glasgow lowland single malt distillery.
Which whiskies are documented for The Glasgow Distillery Company?
Glasgow 1770 Original, Glasgow 1770 Peated, Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled. Availability varies.
Can visitors tour The Glasgow Distillery Company?
Check the producer's current tour and booking information; not all sites are open to visitors.
Sources and editorial notes
The original research and reference links have been retained. Current ownership, prices, operating status and visitor arrangements should be reconfirmed.
Image note: the cover is an illustrative whisky photograph from the Whisky Clan media library, not a photograph of this distillery or its products.
Help us improve this distillery guide
Know something we should add or correct about The Glasgow Distillery Company? Share verified facts, bottle releases, awards or useful sources using the form below. Newsletter subscription is optional.
If the embedded form does not display, Open the contribution form in a new tab.
Photo and source notes
Cover photograph: The Glasgow Distillery Company real signed frontage in Glasgow, Scotland. Source: Summerton Whisky Club. Reuse rights have not been independently confirmed.
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
Comments