North Port Distillery
Encyclopedia
The North Port Distillery was a distillery in Brechin
, Angus
that produced single malt Scotch whisky
. The distillery was latterly owned by Distillers Company through their subsidiary Mitchell Brothers.
was founded in 1825, a few hundred yards from the North Port, and in a likely bid to avoid confusion, the name was changed from Brechin Distillery to North Port Distillery in 1839. Guthrie, Martin & Company became a limited company
in 1893, at which time they changed their name to Guthrie, Martin & Company Limted.
The distillery and the extensive stock was purchased by Distillers Company (DCL) and W.H. Holt & Company Limited in 1922 and the distillery was transferred to DCL subsidiary Scottish Malt Distillers around 1928.
Production at the distillery ceased for a period starting sometime between 1926–28, before production resumed for a short period from 1937 to the beginning of World War II
, when once again, production ceased, this time, owing to the fuel and barley rationing instituted by the Government. Production resumed in 1948 and continued until the distillery was mothballed for the final time in 1983.
The site was sold for re-development in 1990 and shortly afterwards, a new Safeway
supermarket
was constructed on the site. The store was sold to Somerfield in October 2004 as part of a larger sale.
Bottlings of North Port Distillery Single Malt are still available.
Brechin
Brechin is a former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. Traditionally Brechin is often described as a city because of its cathedral and its status as the seat of a pre-Reformation Roman Catholic diocese , but that status has not been officially recognised in the modern era...
, Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
that produced single malt Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
. The distillery was latterly owned by Distillers Company through their subsidiary Mitchell Brothers.
History
The North Port Distillery was founded in 1820 by a local farming family, the Guthries. The distillery was originally called the Townhead Distillery, and the holding company that owned the distillery was called Townhead Distillery Company. The distillery was renamed Brechin Distillery in 1823, and in 1825, the company that owned the distillery was renamed Guthrie, Martin & Company. The Glencadam DistilleryGlencadam Distillery
The Glencadam Distillery is a distillery in Brechin, Angus, Scotland that produces single malt Scotch whisky. The distillery is presently owned by Angus Dundee plc and produces one malt whisky, with the remainder of production sold to blenders or used within Angus Dundee plc for use in blended...
was founded in 1825, a few hundred yards from the North Port, and in a likely bid to avoid confusion, the name was changed from Brechin Distillery to North Port Distillery in 1839. Guthrie, Martin & Company became a limited company
Limited company
A limited company is a company in which the liability of the members or subscribers of the company is limited to what they have invested or guaranteed to the company. Limited companies may be limited by shares or by guarantee. And the former of these, a limited company limited by shares, may be...
in 1893, at which time they changed their name to Guthrie, Martin & Company Limted.
The distillery and the extensive stock was purchased by Distillers Company (DCL) and W.H. Holt & Company Limited in 1922 and the distillery was transferred to DCL subsidiary Scottish Malt Distillers around 1928.
Production at the distillery ceased for a period starting sometime between 1926–28, before production resumed for a short period from 1937 to the beginning of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when once again, production ceased, this time, owing to the fuel and barley rationing instituted by the Government. Production resumed in 1948 and continued until the distillery was mothballed for the final time in 1983.
The site was sold for re-development in 1990 and shortly afterwards, a new Safeway
Safeway (UK)
Safeway was a chain of supermarkets and convenience stores in the United Kingdom. It started as a subsidiary of the American Safeway Inc., before being sold off in 1987....
supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
was constructed on the site. The store was sold to Somerfield in October 2004 as part of a larger sale.
Bottlings of North Port Distillery Single Malt are still available.