Rosebank
Pair Rosebank with a round
See our sister site’s whisky-and-golf itineraries
The most famous resurrection in Scotch whisky. Rosebank was one of the great Lowland distilleries — triple-distilled, delicate, floral — before Diageo closed it in 1993. Ian Macleod Distillers bought the site, painstakingly rebuilt it, and began distilling again in 2023. The original Rosebank spirit from pre-closure stocks is now among the most sought-after whiskies in the world (bottles regularly fetch £500+). The new-make spirit is promising — light, citric, recognisably Lowland — but the first official bottlings of the reborn Rosebank are years away. The visitor centre in Falkirk is worth visiting for the history alone.
Rosebank is a legendary lost Lowland distillery — closed by Diageo in 1993, and the subject of near-universal regret among whisky lovers. The triple-distilled Falkirk canal-side whisky was considered the finest Lowland malt ever made: floral, light, complex, and irreplaceable. Diageo sold the site, and after years of hope, Ian Macleod Distillers reopened Rosebank in 2023. The original bottlings (pre-closure) are collector's items; the new production is in its infancy.
Visiting Rosebank
Camelon Road, Falkirk
FK1 4HN
- Shop
- Café/Restaurant
- Parking
Core range
Not yet released (revival)
Bourbon + sherry (planned)
Revived 2023 (originally silent since 1993). New-make running; first revival-era whisky expected 2026. The original Rosebank releases are collector territory.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon posset or elderflower jelly |
Getting there
- 0
- C
- 1
- a
- 2
- r
- 3
- .
- 4
- 5
- C
- 6
- a
- 7
- m
- 8
- e
- 9
- l
- 10
- o
- 11
- n
- 12
- 13
- n
- 14
- e
- 15
- a
- 16
- r
- 17
- 18
- F
- 19
- a
- 20
- l
- 21
- k
- 22
- i
- 23
- r
- 24
- k
- 25
- ,
- 26
- 27
- b
- 28
- e
- 29
- s
- 30
- i
- 31
- d
- 32
- e
- 33
- 34
- t
- 35
- h
- 36
- e
- 37
- 38
- U
- 39
- n
- 40
- i
- 41
- o
- 42
- n
- 43
- 44
- C
- 45
- a
- 46
- n
- 47
- a
- 48
- l
- 49
- .
Where to eat nearby
- Falkirk town centreArea
- The Falkirk Wheel visitor centreCafé
Where to stay near Rosebank
Rosebank was Scotland's most celebrated Lowland distillery before closing in 1993 and has been restored. It's in Falkirk, on the Union Canal — the canal towpath walk from the distillery to the Falkirk Wheel (2 miles) is one of Central Scotland's best short walks. Edinburgh (35 miles) and Glasgow (30 miles) are both within commuting range.
Where to stay near Rosebank
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Rosebank.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Camelon Road, Falkirk, FK1 4HN
View on map →Frequently asked questions
+Why was Rosebank closed?
Diageo closed it in 1993 during an industry rationalisation. It was immediately recognised as a mistake — Rosebank was considered the finest Lowland malt.
+Is the new Rosebank the same?
Ian Macleod Distillers reopened the original site in 2023 with the same triple-distillation process and access to original knowledge. The new-make is promising but the first aged releases are still years away.
+Where is Rosebank distillery?
Rosebank is in the Lowlands. Postcode FK1.
+When was Rosebank distillery founded?
Rosebank was founded in 1840, making it roughly 186 years old.
Compare with similar distilleries
Original Rosebank is comparable in rarity and reverence to Port Ellen and Brora. The triple-distilled Lowland style was unique.
Port Ellen
One of the most legendary names in Islay whisky — mothballed in 1983, its 1970s and early-80s bottlings became some of the most collectable Scotch ever. Diageo reopened the rebuilt distillery in 2024 with new stills running alongside a restoration of the original buildings; new-make spirit is now quietly maturing for future releases.
Brora
Closed in 1983 and reopened by Diageo in 2021 after a meticulous restoration, Brora's silent-period 1970s bottlings are among the most collectable (and expensive) Scotch whiskies ever released. New-production spirit won't be commercially available for years — visits are by private appointment only.
Other distilleries owned by Ian Macleod Distillers
Distilleries that share Rosebank's corporate parent — useful context if you're comparing house styles within an owner's stable.
Tamdhu
Quietly one of the best-value 100% sherry-cask Speysides on the market since its 2013 reboot under Ian Macleod. The 15 in particular is widely regarded as superb for the price.
Glengoyne
Sits on the Highland line just 30 minutes north of Glasgow, making it one of the most accessible working distilleries in Scotland. Famously unpeated and famously slow-distilled — the slowest in Scotland, they'll tell you — with a consistently excellent sherried core range.
Related articles
6 min read
What Is Blended Scotch Whisky? The Honest Plain-English Explainer
Blended Scotch whisky explained without the snobbery — what it actually is, why it dominates global Scotch sales, and which blends are genuinely worth buying.
6 min read
What Is Cask Strength Whisky? The Plain-English Guide
Cask strength whisky explained — what it means, why drinkers swear by it, how much water to add, and which bottles are worth buying.
6 min read
What Is Peated Whisky? The Plain-English Guide
Peated whisky explained — what peat is, how it gets into the bottle, what PPM means, and where beginners should actually start.