Scotland’s Smallest Distillery Set to Release First Single Malt in the Region in Over 170 Years

I know I say this about a lot of the spots I visit in Scotland, but Stirling is one of my favourite places to visit whenever I’m in the country for work, or for pleasure. It may not be as synonymous with whisky as locations on Islay, or in Speyside, but the links are still there. Of course, it being such a stunning part of the country never hurts either.

At the centre of whisky production in the region, was the original Stirling Distillery. Founded by Thomas Littlejohn in 1816, it operated until 1852, though for twenty of those years it lay silent. When it closed, whisky production in and around the area ground to a halt. This was the case for almost 170 years. That all changed in 2019, when the new-and-improved Stirling Distillery was revived.

2027 is set to be a big year for the distillery, and the area in general, as it will see the first single malt release in the region for more than 170 years. To mark such an occasion, for today’s blog I thought I’d look at it in more detail.

Whisky Production Returns to Stirling

2015 was a big year for spirits world, and not only because it was when we here at GreatDrams were just getting up and running either. No, it was also down to the fact that Cameron and June McCann were celebrating 26 years of marriage in a slightly less conventional manner. Some couples would enjoy a romantic city break away, or a five-star dinner, but not Cam and June. Oh no. They celebrated by doing something they’d always wanted to do, and distilled their first spirit.

In October 2015, using a small 2.4 litre copper still, which they nicknamed ‘Ginty’ they distilled their very first bottle of Stirling Gin. That laid the foundations for what would ultimately become Scotland’s smallest distillery. The gin was a huge hit, and it wasn’t long before they expanded and invested in more equipment, including a much larger still capable of producing 170 bottles per run.

Why am I talking about gin when this is a whisky blog? Because in 2019, they expanded into whisky and opened the first legal distillery in the city with the launch of their Sons of Scotland independent bottling range shortly after.

In 2024, things really stepped up because they began production of their new-make whisky. This was a monumental occasion because it not only signified the beginning of their very own new-make whisky, but it also brought whisky production back to the region for the first time since 1852, a feat surely worthy of a celebratory dram?

A Modern Revival

When the OG Stirling Distillery ceased production in 1852, whisky lovers in the area were, quite rightly, very concerned. Nowadays, if you fancy a bottle of your favourite whisky, you head down to your local off-licence or supermarket, or better still, you head over to the GreatDrams webstore and order a bottle or two from us. Back then however, things were very different. You couldn’t just head to your local supermarket to pick up a bottle, and you certainly couldn’t order online. Not only that, but travel options were also very limited.

For nearly two centuries, if there was one thing that Stirling was lacking, it was a whisky distillery. That all changed in 2019, when Cam and June McCann opened the first legal distillery in the city, which they named The Old Smiddy. They initially focussed on gin, as this was the spirit that put them on the map. As they were in Scotland however, and because whisky is the greatest creation ever, the goal was always to eventually transition over to whisky production.

The distillery, which sits in the shadow of Stirling Castle, was first constructed in 1888 and is believed to have been the site where King James VI would stable his horses during the 1500s. It is said that, originally, it was a church temperance hall. Basically, it was, and is, a very historic building.

When most people think of distilleries in Scotland, they imagine vast whitewashed buildings with multiple enormous stills, acres of land, and a running water source a stone’s throw away. The new Stirling Distillery, however, was not like that. In fact, at first glance, it could be mistaken for a house. Don’t get me wrong, it looks amazing, but in terms of size and production, it doesn’t really compete with some of the other industry giants. Which is handy, really, because they never intended to. They simply wanted to make a truly special whisky.

The renovation was carried out to the very highest of standards. The Victorian façade of the building was carefully maintained, while the interior was given a bespoke, modern facelift, complete with brand-spanking new stills. the idea was to blend old with new, while being respectful of the history of the building and staying true to its roots. The same can be said for their approach to whisky. They also clearly know their stuff, as back in 2025 they won the award for Best Scottish New Make Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards.

Their single malt whisky, which was first distilled in 2024, will be released in June, 2027. There will initially only be 320 bottles up for grabs. Members of their highly prestigious King James Cask Club will get first dibs, whilst those not in the club will need to sign up to a waiting list. Yes, it really is a special occasion. On the upcoming release, co-founder Cameron McCann had this to say:

‘This is a moment we have been working towards since we founded the distillery in 2019. Single malt has always been at the heart of what June and I set out to do. With only 320 bottles in our first release, it will be genuinely rare, and we want those who have supported us from the beginning to be first in line.’

Unless plans have changed, I believe that, following the initial release of their single malt, they will be releasing their VI Casks for King James limited edition set. Consisting of six highly rare bottles, and to be released biannually over the course of three years, only 300 will be available. 2027 is certainly shaping up to be a huge year for Stirling Distillery.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.

Photo Credit: Stirling Distillery

Tags: First Single MaltScotland’s Smallest DistilleryStirling

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.