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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

#OnThisDay 14th June 1899 The Manager of Glen Burgie Distillery, Mr Alex. Nicholson; is presented with and spirit stand and a purse of sovereigns on the occasion of his leaving to take up the managership of Stronachie Distillery #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

#OnThisDay 13th June 1913 United Distilleries set up Distillers Finance Corporation to produce the 'finest Irish whiskeys'. They went on a spending spree buying 4 Belfast blenders incl Limavady Distillery (pictured). #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

12th June 1903 A fire breaks out in the cask store of Ardgowan distillery, Greenock. The burning spirit gets into the water system of the town, flowing into foundries and mills, causing explosions and the deaths of 7 people, the youngest victim just 4.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

#OnThisDay 10th June 1931 Dalwhinne Distillery gives notice of closure for an indefinite period, the depression being given as the main cause. And they still haven't caught those 'daring car bandits' either! #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

#OnThisDay 8th June 1933 £4,000,000 worth of Bonded whisky at Banff distillery narrowly escapes destruction after a fire at its meal mill #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

#OnThisDay 7th June 1895 A new company is formed to acquire the business of Mr R W Rankine of Rosebank Distillery. Under the stewardship of the Rankine family, the distillery had been very profitable, and was expanded and modernised throughout their tenure.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

#OnThisDay 6th June 1900 James Reid, an employee of Inchgower distillery, dies after succumbing to his injuries from a fall at the site which caused a 'concussion of the spine'. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

#OnThisDay 5th June 1911 Provost Duncanson sentences John Finnegan and Alexander McLeish to 14 days imprisonment for stealing whisky from casks at the North British Railway Goods Station in Alloa. The two chaps were spotted by the police prising bungs from casks and extracting

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#OnThisDay 4th June 1784 Angry mobs storm Canon Mills distillery, Edinburgh, looking for the grain they believe is being held for distilling during a famine. After being dispersed by the authorities, the ringleaders are whipped & sent to Australia for 14 years #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

#OnThisDay 3rd June 1899 Dallas Dhu fills its first cask after starting production about a week previously. Photographed here are the fantastically hatted and moustachioed team around the same period as that cask was filled. #WhiskyHistory Image ©HES

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

#OnThisDay 2nd June 1989 The biennial Malt Distilling Fire Competition is held at Glenlossie Distillery. Individuals and teams from nearly 30 distilleries within United Distillers converged on the site to test their fire fighting skills. Pictured are the winners. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

#OnThisDay 1st June 1936 Tobermory distillery officially closes its doors. The last malting at the site took place six years previous, since then shipments have only been carried out periodically.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

#OnThisDay 31st May 1991 A derelict warehouse at Glenlochy distillery goes up in flames. The site was founded in 1898, and passed through several owners before being bought by DCL in 1953, who permanently closed the site in 1983.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

#OnThisDay 30th May 1920 Distillery workers Mr Charles Simpson, York Street, and Alexander Stewart, Balvenie Street, Dufftown, are caught in the yard of Glenfiddich Distillery under the influence of drink from grogging from the empty casks lying there.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

#OnThisDay 29th May 1975 Plans to convert the Mill of Durris, Banchory into a distillery are announced. Alas, this is far as this project goes for the former saw mill and corn mill, as it is still sat abandoned today. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

#OnThisDay 28th May 1974 It now marks one week since Glenlivet fell silent due to the ongoing BP strike at Grangemouth refinery. The lack of an LPG supply means that between them, Glen Grant and Glenlivet are losing production volumes of 4,500 gallons a day,

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

#OnThisDay 27th May 1965 The Directors of Tomatin Distillery enjoy a toast in the still room to celebrate their way to a record breaking 1,600,000 proof gallon output for the 1964-65 season, with five weeks to go.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

#OnThisDay 26th May 1992 Mr Ian Grant, chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board, officially opens the new £150,000 visitor centre at Tomatin distillery. The new attraction was converted from former offices on the site. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

#OnThisDay 25th May 1981 Just a week after the collapse of the Number 1 wash still, at around 7am, the Number 2 Spirit Safe at Glenfarclas burst into flames. Thankfully the fire was promptly extinguished, but to this day, no-one knows why it ignited. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

#OnThisDay 24th May 1960 Glen Keith-Glenlivet distillery is officially opened at a ceremony with over 200 guests. It is the first new distillery built after the second small disagreement of 1939 to 1945.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

#OnThisDay 23rd May 1975 Carlos Sagrera of DYC, owners of the Lochside Distillery, announces the opening of a new bottling plant at the site. They bought the distillery in 1973, ceasing grain production & starting up malt again for use in their Sandy McNab blend. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

#OnThisDay 22nd May 1964 Glenlivet & Glen Grant Distilleries Ltd announce plans to open a new distillery in Rothes. It will be located on the original site of Glen Grant No.2 (Opened 1898, closed 1902), its maltings were retained to supply O.G Glen Grant, and were thought

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

#OnThisDay 21st May 1967 The railways sidings at Dallas Dhu Distillery close. The site was deliberately built next to the Highland railway in 1899 by Alexander Edward to aid the distribution of its whisky at the height of the 'whisky boom'.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

#OnThisDay 20th May 1830 Fernyglen (or Fairney Glen) Distillery 'with utensils and necessary appurtences' is put up for sale by its owner Andrew Denholm. The distillery operated for just two years from 1828 to 1830. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

#OnThisDay 19th May 1883 The largest still at Glen Grant Distillery collapses. After being charged with wash, the hot air in the still was condensed by the air of the wash, forcing the atmospheric pressure of the still to create a vacuum and collapse it. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

#OnThisDay 18th May 1981 At around 3am, the Number 1 Wash Still at Glenfarclas distillery collapses due to a failure of its anti-collapse valve. Image Taken from Ian Buxton's Glenfarclas 175 Book #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

#OnThisDay 18th May 1854 The Fifeshire Journal reports that two Russian frigates invaded the town of St Andrews with sailors and took all their food, after which they sailed round to the River Eden & Seggie distillery

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

#OnThisDay 17th May 1998 The owners of Glen Garioch Distillery, Morrison Bowmore, announce that plans to open a new visitors centre at the site are to be put on the back-burner. The £34,000 investment has been put on hold to focus solely on production to meet increasing demand.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

#OnThisDay 16th May 1917 A fire at Dailuaine Distillery caused an explosion in the mill destroys the original pagoda roof created by Charles Doig; nearly 18 years to the day when he was asked to design something to improve the malt kiln chimneys efficiencies. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

#OnThisDay 15th May 1851 The Island of Islay (& surrounding small islands) is advertised for sale at a 'considerably reduced upset price'! Th Edinburgh Evening Courant reports the island also holds 11 distilleries producing whisky to 'the highest character'. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

#OnThisDay 15th May 1922 Rivers of fire flowed away from Glen Rothes distillery as the Number 1 warehouse burned to the ground at an estimated cost of £100,000. At its height over 200 people were battling the flames that stretched the full 100 yards of the building.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

#OnThisDay 15th May 1846 John Dewar (of the late Firm of MacDonald and Dewar), opens his new premises at No. 111 High Street, Perth (third door above the Guard Vennel), with a large and very superior Stock of Wines, Foreign and British Spirits,Porter, and ales.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

#OnThisDay 14th May 1973 At the Materials Handling Exhibition in Glasgow, a new machine is showcased capable of handling and unloading up to 50 casks every 15 minutes #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

#OnThisDay 13th May 1988 Allied Distilleries announces the closure of their Teacher's blending and bottling plant at Craigpark, Springburn, with the losses of 255 jobs. The closure is with a view to increase efficiency and reduce spare capacity.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

#OnThisDay 12th May 1934 Mr George McBain, Distillery Manager at Linkwood for the past 59 years, has retired. He was presented with an inscribed walking stick & a travelling rug. George also kept prize winning poultry & won several awards for . . .

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

#OnThisDay 11th May 1982 An explosion caused by the mill at Glenfarclas distillery destroys ten tonnes of malt. This follows a similar explosion that happened the year before. Mr George Grant states that 'this latest explosion will not upset our production . . .

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

#OnThisDay 10th May 1973 The new LPG storage tanks for Glenfarclas distillery arrive. The frustrations of the #WhiskyHistory research! From the Aberdeen Press and Journal on 11th May 1973. I have found some pages of the days previous issue, however, no sign of the image of the tanker for today! 😖🥃

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

#OnThisDay 10th May 1946 Forestry Commission staff uncover two 100 gallon casks buried in woodland at Bogside on the Dunfermline-Alloa road, after a fire in its fir plantation. It is thought to be part of a £10,000 theft from Auchtermuchty Bond in April.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

#OnThisDay 9th May 1877 A large explosion of gas from the still room at Inverboyndie/Banff distillery destroys all the workings and the large stock of whisky at the site, causing £10,000 worth of damage. The warehousing and bonded stores were saved from the flames.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

#OnThisDay 8th May 1991 Bladnoch Distillery is sold to Gibson International for an undisclosed sum with promises of expansion. It is their third distillery acquisition in as many years, following Littlemill and Glen Scotia. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

#OnThisDay 7th May 1996 Glenmorangie officially opens its new £14m plant at Broxburn. The new site, formally occupied by Bell's, gives the company the capacity to fill 24 million bottles a year, more than double their previous site in Leith.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

#OnThisDay 6th May 1920 A large fire breaks out at Glen Spey Distillery. Smoke and flames were spotted at around 4am by the night watchmen at the malt mill, and although the blaze only lasted two hours, the malt room, grain lofts and engine and boiler rooms were all destroyed,

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

#OnThisDay 5th May 1844 At Warmanbie Distillery (Annandale) George Robison is reported to have died. 'His death was occasioned by a dreadful burning which happened to him in a way not accounted for.' #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

#OnThisDay 4th May 1846 The partnership of Macdonald and Dewar, Perth, is officially dissolved by the expiration of the contract. This is the first step in the story of Dewar's Whisky, and Mr John Dewar opens his new concern just over a week later at 111 High Street, Perth.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

3rd May 1909 Letters to the editor in the Aberdeen Press & Journal from concerned barley farmers. 'the proposed increase of 3s 9d per gallon upon the duty on spirits will throw manufacture of malt whisky into the hands of the raw grain distillers. . .

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

#OnThisDay 2nd May 1881 John McDowall, a joiner from Milton, is convicted before Sheriff Barclay of the theft of 3 gallons of feints from Auchnagie distillery (later known as Tullymet) occupied by John McLaren. He is sentenced to 30 days imprisonment. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

#OnThisDay 1st May 1912 Mr William M. Brown is appointed as manager of Milton Distillery by unanimous vote by the board; 24 years to the day that he started working for the firm as a cashier.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

#OnThisDay 30th April 1858 Thomas McGivern, labourer at Kirkliston distillery, whilst employed in the spirit warehouse, 'helped himself unseen to such an immoderate quantity of whisky that he died from its effects in the course of eight hours there-after.

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

#OnThisDay 29th April 1899 The Campbeltown Courier announces that Messrs J.B Sheriff & Co are planning to remodel part of their Lochhead Distillery in Campbeltown 'due to the congested state of the old work'. #WhiskyHistory

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Peter Hunt @ukwhisky.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

#OnThisDay 28th April 1910 Mr John Stewart, employee of 35 years at Cameron Bridge distillery retires. Starting his career 'in the 70's' as a cashier he soon rose to sales and then management. He was presented with a large silver fruit bowl to make his departure. #WhiskyHistory

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