Ayrshire (Ladyburn) 44 Years Old 1974

The Ladyburn distillery was established within the Girvan grain complex by William Grant & Sons in 1966. This was an era of blends and the need for a reliable source of supply. So, it made sense to build convenient malt distilleries within the giant grain sites, thereby controlling more of the blend creation and supply than ever before. Like so many of these distilleries, Ladyburn’s existence was a short one. Arriving during a period of blend demand, it was also the beginning of the single malt market, which was previously unheard of. With Glenfiddich establishing its own single malt presence internationally, Ladyburn was conceived to step into the breach and free up capacity for Glenfiddich. The distillery was closed in 1975 and dismantled a few years later. Eventually, the site played host to a new distillery in Ailsa Bay, but for Ladyburn, William Grant & Sons still retain stock and we have seen the occasional release.