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A review from 5D Music, Theatre (and now Whisky) writer Maria Robertson.
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Opened in 2017, the Clydeside Distillery is owned by Morrison Glasgow Distillers Limited. It is located within the Pumphouse building which originally controlled entry into the Queens Dock. The dock was filled in once it’s purpose had passed and is now covered by buildings which include the Hydro, the Armadillo and the Crowne Plaza hotel.
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The tour starts and finishes in the shop which features various whiskies as well as merchandise including woolly hats, glasses and coasters. To start off their is a video of the docks “in the olden days” with actors in historical dress talking about life was like working there. This has subtitles, presumably to help tourists who might not quite understand Glaswegian slang, as well as to help those who may be hearing impaired.
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Heading upstairs there are two rooms telling the story of whisky production in the city through the years and the story of the families behind Clydeside Distillery. Our tour guide was Ana, we were very lucky to get a private tour as the other people booked for the 11am slot were late so went with the noon tour. It was quite amusing to have a Spanish lady, with thick accent, telling you about your own country – but she did know what she was talking about! Ana talked us through the whisky making method: malting, milling, mashing, fermentation and distillation.
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Next it was into the actual “factory” seeing the big vats and stills sloshing all the liquids around and working their magic. This was all being careful watched by a man with an iPad, although they are historical old fashioned procedures they are supported with a lot of modern technology to ensure it goes just right.
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Finally it was time to taste the golden liquid end product! The tasting room was well laid out with more information on the wall and a window down to the cafe below. We were given the base spirit to try and then exclusive to the tour versions from a Bourbon and then a Sherry cask. I was driving so I was given wee labelled jam jars to take mine home and enjoy them later which was much appreciated. I did have a good sniff and a tiny sip of each as we went through but was rather envious of my husband savouring each glass slowly. Next we went back down to the shop and were allowed to try the Clydeside Stobcross. This is the main whisky that they can now sell as it takes 3 years before a distillery actually produces anything that can be sold.
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We could not resist the tap at the side where you had the opportunity to bottle your own Dechar Rechar and write the label with any personalisation you wished. I did enjoy doing this, although my label went a bit squint – which was pointed out to just make it more personal. It’s now in pride of place on our shelving unit at home!
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An interesting and tasty experience which will no doubt delight the tourists for years to come, especially as their range develops over time.
Further information: https://www.theclydeside.com/
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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