Stirling Distillery fills first whisky cask

Stirling Distillery has announced the filling of its first whisky cask with new make spirit — marking the first time whisky has been made in Stirling since 1852.

Founded by husband and wife June and Cameron McCann in 2015, the Stirling Distillery debuted its VI Casks for King James whisky set in March 2022, which will be released bi-annually from 2027.

Whisky hasn’t been distilled in the city since 1852 when the original Stirling Distillery closed its doors, but the distillery has now announced it has filled its first cask in 171 years.

The first brewing mash took place on Tuesday 3 October 2023 and the first cask was filled on Monday 27th November.

The distilling process will see craft small batch runs over the next few months as the distilling team develop the whisky’s flavour. The first releases of Stirling whisky will be ready in late 2026.

Speaking to db, co-founder Cameron McCann said its Stirling origin and location would “ensure a soft lowland flavour with soft, almost bicuity notes from our new make just now”.

Whisky-making “wasn’t the primary plan” he said, but noted that he “always wanted to see the distillery evolve into whisky production given whisky was his first love”.

McCann said of the whisky: “I’m proud of how we have evolved as a business and excited about our new make spirit. It has a great soft flavour with a fair bit of maltiness. We’re all looking forward to seeing how this matures in our casks and grateful to everyone who has invested in our whisky journey so far.”