Whisky may well be Scotland’s most famous product but it would seem that uisge beatha owes as much to the French as it does the Scottish.
Located in the historic royal burgh of Newburgh in north-east Fife, Lindores Abbey is known as the ‘spiritual home’ of Scotch whisky thanks to one Friar John Cor.
The first written evidence of whisky distillation in Scotland dates to 1494 when Cor paid duty on malt in order to make ‘acqua vitae’ for the king. The payment was recorded on the Exchequer Roll and is often cited as long standing evidence of Scotland’s taste for whisky.
French monks
Now in ruins, Lindores Abbey had originally been established by Tironesian monks who had moved there from Thiron-Gardais in Northern France in the 12th century.
The Tironensians introduced new methods of horticulture, brewing, animal husbandry and, most importantly, distilling from the continent. In effect, French monks were some of the earliest people to practice distillation in Scotland.
After much planning, Drew and Helen McKenzie-Smith aim to restart whisky production at Lindores by building a new distillery and visitor centre next to the ruins of the Abbey.
The McKenzie-Smiths first dreamt up the idea back in 2004. If all goes well, the build will start this summer.
Construction should take around a year with an opening date planned for spring 2017. The first whisky is set to be bottled around 2022/23.
The Abbey, has been in the family of Drew McKenzie-Smith for over 100 years after his grandfather purchased the land in the early 1900s.
Lindores pilgrimage
The famed whisky writer, the late Michael Jackson, wrote that for those who enjoyed a dram a visit to the abbey was essential, declaring that ‘for the whisky lovers, it is a pilgrimage’.
The new distillery and visitor centre will make that pilgrimage all the more enjoyable.
Some 500 years after Cor paid his taxes, the founders of Lindores Abbey Distillery are re-establishing the ancient links between France and making whisky at Lindores.
Drew and Helen McKenzie-Smith travelled from Fife to Thiron-Gardais in Northern France following an invitation from the town’s Mayor.
They presented an engraved plaque to the town honouring the Tironesian monks who originated from the area and travelled to Scotland in the 12th century.
French expertise
Speaking of their trip, Drew McKenzie-Smith said: ‘To us, the history of Lindores Abbey is just as important as the plans we have to create a distillery. If it wasn’t for the expertise of the Tironesian monks who came to Scotland in those dark and frightening medieval times we may not have the advanced industry we do today.
‘Having been contacted by Victor Provot, Mayor of Thiron-Gardais, Helen and I were delighted to be able to make the trip. Victor is forward thinking and is very keen to foster links with Lindores and exchange ideas, and likewise, we are keen to explore the wines and spirits of the region with a view to possibly incorporating elements into the Lindores Abbey Distillery.’