Lowlands

Stretching south from a line joining Greenock, to the north of Glasgow, to Dundee, in the county of Perth, this rugged region, with its jagged coastline benefits from a mild climate. It is characterised by rich, fertile agricultural land, suitable for cereal crops, especially barley and wheat. Served by two rivers, the Forth and the Clyde, it has all the resources necessary for distillation. Sometimes distilled three times, Lowlands whiskies are generally dry and light. They are also characterised by subtle floral and herbaceous notes. At the end of the last century there were over twenty active distilleries in the Lowlands. There are currently only two, Auchentoshan to the north of Glasgow and Glenkinchie east of Edinburgh, which is the only Lowlands distillery that is open to the public.