The Clydeside Distillery

About the distillery

The Clydeside Distillery is located by River Clyde in Glasgow, in the historic Queen’s Dock setting, where the city’s harbor and whisky heritage meet. Here, Lowland single malt whisky is made using water from Loch Katrine, and visitors can both get close to the production and taste the results in the distillery’s whisky experiences. It’s an urban distillery with a clear local anchor and a style that emphasizes clean, fruity whisky.

History

The story begins long before the distillery was built. In 1863, John Morrison helped to build Queen’s Dock in Glasgow, and that connection to the Clyde area is reflected in the distillery’s own family history. The Morrison name also ties back to Loch Katrine, which supplies the water for the whisky today. The actual Clydeside distillery came to be in 2017, when the family’s ties to the city and the river were given a modern whisky interpretation. The narrative thereby brings together the harbor, infrastructure, and whisky into a single cohesive Glasgow story.

Raw materials and production

The production is based on water from Loch Katrine in the West Highlands, which is brought about 40 miles to the distillery by River Clyde. Traditional methods are used, and visitors can follow the process from spirit to whisky on the tour. A special feature is the annual two-week window, during which peated spirit is distilled. This allows the distillery to create a contrast to the rest of the house style, described as clean and fruit-driven. The distillery produces single malt whisky and new make spirit with a focus on care and precision.

Maturation and cask types

Fortnight is matured for more than six years and shows that the distillery also works with longer ageing to build character. At the same time, maturation is used to give the peated version a clear yet still balanced place in the house style. The specific range of casks is not detailed in the available texts, but maturation is clearly used as a tool to develop depth and maintain the clean, fruity profile that the distillery highlights.

Whiskies

The core range is described as a small selection of Clydeside single malts, with Fortnight peated as part of the lineup. It’s a whisky series rooted in Glasgow and in the distillery’s own style: clean, fruity, with room for smoke in the peated version. The range is sold both via the online shop, at the distillery, and through distributors. Other names are also mentioned in the story, but the specific product details are mostly laid out for Fortnight.

The style and flavor profile of the whiskies

The style centers on orchard fruit, stone fruit, and bright citrus, which gives the whisky a light, fruity base. In addition, vanilla and heather honey soften the expression, while warm spice and peat give Fortnight a clearer finish. Gentle smoke ties the peated profile together, but without overpowering the fresh fruitiness. The serving suggestion also brings out floral and aromatic character, highlighting an elegant and easy-drinking direction.

Visit the distillery

You can visit The Clydeside Distillery on a guided tour in Glasgow. The tour lasts one hour and ends with a tasting of three drams. The ticket price is £19.50 for adults, with reduced prices for concession, students, children, and families. Check the booking calendar for available times, and you can also call the office. In addition to the tours, there is a Whisky Bar where Clydeside single malts are served in highballs and classic cocktails.

The listed opening hours are The tour lasts 1 hour and costs £19.50 per adult; concession, student, child, and family prices are also offered. Availability should be checked in the booking calendar or by calling the office.
See times and book a visit.

Philosophy and craftsmanship

The distillery places emphasis on traditional methods, craftsmanship, and precision. There is a clear awareness of the contrast between the clean, fruity house style and the annual peated expression in Fortnight. At the same time, the connection to Glasgow is not just decorative, but built into both the place, the water, and the story. This gives the whisky a local identity tied to the Clyde, the docks, and the family’s history.