Lost Distillery Stratheden Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Alexander Bonthrone (1798-1890) established the distillery in 1829, when he was 31 years old and worked the stills for the next six decades, almost until his death in 1890 – making him one of Scotland’s oldest distillers. He held several civic titles: a Baillie to burgh magistrate, Justice of the Peace and Municipal Councillor. A committed Liberal, he advised Herbert Asquith, the local MP on whisky matters. Asquith later became Prime Minister 1908 – 1916 and stood against Lloyd George’s proposal of Prohibition in Britain.

Alexander’s younger brother, John Bonthrone (1799-1881), was described as “pioneer of the malt trade” one of Scotland’s first commercial maltsters. He was instrumental in the construction of Fife & Kinross Railway, with the station opening at Auchtermuchty in 1857.

92 Proof / 46% ABV

Set in the centre of Auchtermuchty and surrounded by the Lomond Hills, a well-known habitat of smugglers and illegal distillers – local characters include Lady Miller who kept an illicit still in the hills. The distillery was unusually built in the centre of town and pre-dates courtyard-style distilleries.

Construction was arduous, the water source, a tributary of the river Eden, channelled from the “Lovers pool” by an aqueduct. The water was extremely soft, with a distinct earthy and salty edge to it.