Episode fifteen: Lindores Abbey Distillery part two
Part two of our pilgrimage to the spiritual home of whisky. In this episode Gill and I hit the road* and head to the spiritual home of Scotch Whisky, Lindores Abbey. This is a bit of a special one for us as we go on a voyage of discovery around our national drink. We hope you love this experience as much as we did.
THE SPIRITUAL HOME OF SCOTCH WHISKY
The earliest written reference to Scotch Whisky, or Aqua Vitae as it was then known, appears in the Exchequer Roll of 1494. It mentioned Lindores monk Brother John Cor who was commissioned by King James IV to turn 8 bolls of malt into Aqua Vitae. That’s enough to make about 400 bottles of whisky today in case you are wondering.
However Lindores Abbey is believed to have been distilling long before this star-studded written reference would reveal.
But fate would deal an unkind blow to the Abbey leaving it in ruins. Centuries passed and the stills fell silent. The grounds became farmland and tales of friars fermenting for royalty would vanish from history altogether. It’s at the turn of the 21st century that a pilgrimage would reveal Lindores pedigree.
In 2017, spirit started flowing once again from copper stills at Lindores Abbey Distillery. And it’s this story we wanted to tell.
Lynne.
*this episode was recorded before current restrictions and it also explains the ladies being far away from the mic as they maintained social distancing guidelines
And here it is, The Lynnedores cocktail
Half a glass of frozen cherries, two squeezed oranges plus a slice to go in the glass. A shot of Aqua Vitae then top with Prosecco.
