The town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, is best known as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and the site of a magnificent palace. Yet, for whisky enthusiasts, the town has a different, more poignant legacy: the "lost" St. Magdalene distillery. Though its stills have been silent for over 40 years, its distinctive pagoda roofs remain—a lasting reminder of one of Scotland's most revered single malt distilleries.
Officially established in 1798 by the Dawson family, the distillery’s roots potentially stretch back as far as the mid-18th century, making it one of Scotland’s older distilling sites. It had been originally, and unofficially, founded in 1753 by Sebastian Henderson when it would be known as Linlithgow. It would later adopt the name St. Magdalene– in reference to a former convent and hospital that had once occupied the site.
The 1980s were a notoriously difficult time for the Scotch whisky industry, plagued by overproduction and a downturn in sales. In 1983, St Magdalene was among over 20 distilleries that would close, including heavyweights such as Port Ellen, Brora, Glenugie and Dallas Dhu. Unlike others, it never reopened. By the early 1990s, the site was sold to developers and most of the distillery was demolished to make way for residential flats.
Despite being a Lowland distillery, St Magdalene's single malt was not typical of the region's generally light, floral character. For many years, the distillery used heavily peated malt, giving its whisky a character more reminiscent of an Islay malt than a classic Lowlander. Later bottlings show a shift to a lighter, non-peated style, but they maintained a distinctive, complex profile. Tasting notes have been known to be described as oily and grassy with tropical fruits and layers of vanilla spice, and even hints of smoke.
For most of its existence, St Magdalene's output went into blends. Single malt drinkers had little awareness of its distinct character. This changed after its closure, when independent bottlers and later Diageo (which had acquired parent company DCL) released vintage single malt bottlings and a star was (re)born. Included in the many great bottling releases were the Connoisseurs Choice series from Gordon & MacPhail, the Rare Malts Selection, SMWS and a number of excellent Wm Cadenhead bottlings.
Here we take a look at some of the great bottlings and series from the St. Magdalene archive: -
Linlithgow 1975 24yo, First Cask
This 24 year old Lowland single malt was laid to sleep at the St. Magdalene distillery on the 2nd June 1975 and bottled for the First Cask Malt Whisky Circle from Direct Wines Ltd.
Bottled under the distillery's Linlithgow moniker, this rare expression was drawn from single unblended cask number 96/3/5.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £625. Buy Here.
St. Magdalene 1964 15yo, Cadenhead’s Dumpy
This ultra rare 15 year old Lowland single malt was laid down at the St. Magdalene (Linlithgow) distillery in February 1964 and bottled by Wm Cadenhead Ltd in their legendary dumpy style bottle way back in May 1979.
This highly sought after Pure Malt was awarded a humongous 94 points (and their favourite St. Magdalene expression honour) from the experts at WhiskyFun and comes in good condition with a high-neck fill level. This one firmly belongs in the Scotch whisky Hall of Fame!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £5,000. Buy Here.
St. Magdalene 1965, G&M Connoisseurs Choice
A highly sought after 1965 distillation from the now silent Lowland distillery, St. Magdalene, which was specially selected and bottled for Gordon & MacPhail's Connoisseurs Choice range in 1991.
There were some superb 1960's distillations produced at St. Magdalene, with this expression being no exception - backed up by the WhiskyFun chaps, who awarded it a huge 92 points.
This particular release adorns the old map style label, which was introduced around 1988, when it replaced the old brown style label.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,000. Buy Here.
St. Magdalene 1975 27yo, SMWS 49.14
This very scarcely seen 27 year old Lowland single malt was laid down at the St. Magdalene distillery in June 1975 and bottled for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in August 2002.
Drawn from single society cask number 49.14 at a natural strength 49.3% ABV, this lovely vintage from one of Scotland's long lost distilleries is supplied in great condition and, like much of their dwindling stocks, will be highly sought after.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £3,333. Buy Here.
St. Magdalane 1978 20yo, Waterloo Street Bottling
This 20 year old malt from the Lowlands distillery, St. Magdalene of Linlithgow, was laid to rest in a refill European oak cask on the 31st March 1978. It was bottled at an eye-watering 62.7% ABV in 1998 and distributed to United Distillers (now Diageo) engineering staff and VIP's to commemorate 100 years at the Waterloo Street buildings in Glasgow.
The St. Magdalene distillery sadly closed in 1983, meaning bottles such as this are highly treasured and sought after.
This is one of just 396 bottles that comes complete with finely crafted wooden presentation box and individually numbered COA. Supplied in great condition with a fill level of lower neck - view fine details on the image inset.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £6,250. Buy Here.
St. Magdalene 1982 40yo, G&M Private Collection - Cask 2100
This sizzling 40 year old Lowland single malt was distilled at St. Magdalene on the 1st July 1982 and bottled on the 6th February 2023 for the Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection.
Yielded from refill American hogshead number 2100 at a natural strength 54.5% ABV, this is one of only 150 bottles exclusively bottled for the G&M Recollection Series.
The Recollection Series are annual releases that offer a unique opportunity for whisky enthusiasts and collectors to enjoy forgotten masterpieces that have been lying in wait at the G&M warehouse.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,375. Buy Here.
These are just a few examples of the expertly crafted work at St. Magdalene over the years, and why it remains a favourite with whisky lovers worldwide.
Brief Timeline of St. Magdalene Key Events: -
- 1753: Linlithgow distillery was unofficially founded
- 1798: The distillery was purchased and acquired by Adam Dawson
- 1826: St. Magdalene and Bonnytoun distillery merge
- 1912: A&J Dawson is liquidated, DCL purchase the distillery
- 1914: St. Magdalene becomes a founding member of Scottish Malt Distillers
- 1927: The distillery was refitted and renovated
- 1983: St. Magdalene distillery is closed and sold to developers
- 1990: The distillery is demolished and redeveloped for residential use
Click here to view all of our St. Magdalene single malts.