Inverleven whisky distillery

A distillery within a distillery, Inverleven was a pair of pot stills established within the Dumbarton grain complex. The spirit was intended to support the blending of owner Hiram Walker’s Ballantine’s blend though never proved too popular with the blenders. A number of single malts were released, including Chivas Brothers’ Deoch an Doras (one for the road) and Cadenheads Dumbarton ‘Inverleven stills’. During it’s lifetime a Lomond style still was added to the fray, both the Lomond and the inverleven stills fell silent several years before the eventual shutdown and demolition of the Dumbarton complex.

Happily prior to the site being demolished the recently revived Bruichladdich acquired the Lomond and Inverleven stills among other components for the modest scrap value of £35k. Originally intended to be used for the Port Charlotte brand the stills saw limited use and were eventually sold on to Waterford distillery in Ireland. The Lomond still now christened ugly betty is used to produce he famed Botanist Gin.

Although classified by Michael Jackson as a Lowland distillery the distillery falls just on the cusp between the lowlands and the highlands, neighbouring Loch Lomond (a mere 4 miles north) is classified as a highland distillery. Alas much of the site has now been completely demolished and even the iconic tower was broughtdown in 2017, you can find out more on our Dumbarton distillery listing

Inverleven factsheet

Can I tour Inverleven?

No, unfortunately Inverleven distillery is not open to the public for tours