Cameronbridge

cameronbridge-distillery
  • Founded: 1824
  • Status: Operational
  • Region: Lowland, Scotland, Leven, Fife, KY8 5RL
  • Online: n/a

History In 1824 the Haig distillery was opened. In 1830 it became the first distillery to produce Grain whisky using the Column still method invented by Robert Stein. In 1877 John Haig & Co merged with five other whisky companies to form the Distillers Company, with John Haig & Co coming under DCL’s full ownership in 1919. Cameron Bridge produced both grain and malt whisky using a combination of pot stills and column stills until 1929, when it shifted exclusively to grain whisky production.

For a period between 1941 and 1947, the distillery closed due to World War II. The current Column still house was constructed during the 1960s, and two of its three stills are more than 30 years old. The third was transferred from Carsebridge distillery in Alloa when it was closed by United Distillers in 1983. Major renovations at Cameron Bridge occurred in 1989–92 as well as up to 2000 when the distillery produced up to 30 million imperial gallons (140,000,000 L) of spirit annually.

In 1989 Cameronbridge also changed from being solely a large-scale grain whisky distillery into a ‘dual-purpose’ site, when United Distillers’ Grain Neutral Spirit operation was transferred to Fife from Wandsworth in London. Now GNS for white spirits and ‘sweetened products’ such as Archers, Pimm’s, Smirnoff, Tanqueray and Gordon’s Gin are also produced alongside grain spirit used in the Johnnie Walker, J&B, Bell’s, Black & White, Vat 69, Haig and White Horse blended whisky brands owned by Diageo. It is currently the largest of the remaining grain distilleries in Scotland and is owned by Diageo.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official Bottling
  • CameronBrig-single-grain-scotch-whisky Cameron Brig - Cameron Brig (40%, OB, 2015) Single grain scotch whisky 40% ABV, £20 for 70cl Score: 52/100 What they say: This single grain whisky was distilled at the Cameronbridge distillery in fife. A […]
  • Haig Club Clubman Haig Club Clubman - Haig Club Clubman (40%, OB, 2016) Category: Single grain scotch whisky Origin: Cameronbridge Distillery Bottling: Diageo ABV: 40% Cost: £23.33 from Master of Malt What they say: Haig Club™ Single Grain Scotch […]
Independent Bottling
Cadenhead
  • Cameronbridge 1989, 24 Years Old - Cadenheads Cameronbridge 24 Years Old 1989 Single Grain - Cameronbridge 24 Years Old 1989 Single Grain (46%, Cadenheads, Bourbon HHs, 618 Bottles, 2013) 46% ABV, £60 for 70cl, 618 bottles Score: 69/100 What they say: Nose: Butterscotch with lime leaves and […]
  • Cameronbridge 24 Years Old 1989 Single Grain - Cameronbridge 24 Years Old 1989 (46%, Cadenheads, Bourbon HHs, 618 Bottles, 2013) Scottish single grain whisky 46% ABV, £64.50 Score: 78/100 What they say: Nose: Butterscotch with lime leaves and sweet digestive […]
James Eadie
  • cameronbridge-21-year-old-1997-cask-75792-james-eadie-whisky Cameronbridge 21 Years Old 1997 Single Cask 75792 - Cameronbridge 21 Years Old 1997 James Eadie Whisky Review: Quite simple, oaky with plenty of vanilla and coconut, no surprise this was a single grain or that it was matured in a refill hogshead, still quite harsh and solventy for its age. 76/100
That Boutique-Y Whisky Company
  • cameronbridge-that-boutiquey-whisky-company-whisky Cameronbridge 39 Years Old Batch 7 - Cameronbridge 39 Years Old Batch 7 whisky review: Does exactly what it says on the tin! Very drinkable aged grain with plenty of old oak wood, spirit, cereal and vanilla/white chocolate sweetness all of which confirm my assumption this was matured in an ex-bourbon cask. 87/100