Hillside distillery also known as Glen Esk was founded in Montrose in 1897 when a former flax mill was converted into a distillery named, wait for it, Highland Esk Distillery.

It was taken over by JF. Caille in 1899 who renamed it North Esk Distillery.

It was closed during WWI and remained closed until 1938 when it was taken over by Assoc. Scottish Distillers and operated until 1964 as a grain distillery called Glen Esk.

In 1954 it was acquired by DCL

1964 Saw Glen Esk transferred to SMD who returned the distillery to producing malt whisky under the name Hillside.

Large drum maltings were installed in 1968 and the distillery was further renovated and enlarged in 1973 and then William Sanderson & Sons acquired the license and then renamed the distillery Glen Esk in 1980.

1985 Saw the distillery mothballed and the license finally cancelled in 1992, an event followed in 1996 by the demolition of the distillery.

Photo by Stanley Howe via Wikimedia Creative Commons License

More great distillery info here, thanks to Malt Madness

Glen Esk

General whisky characteristics: Complex, fresh and usually dry

Duncan Taylor, Glenesk, 26y

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Author's note: once again my thanks to Pit Krause (fellow Malt Maniac) for this super sample, a 26y Glenesk from Duncan Taylor. It's rich, dark and obviously heavily sherried. I also believe it's somewhere around 54% ABV.

Glass: Spiegelau

Nose: There's something very slightly pungent in the background. Something a little medicinal or phenolic. But that's only hinted at in the distance. In the fore is a wonderfully rich sherried dram. There's Oak, currants, toasted prunes (can you toast them?) and even a slight hint of rubber.

Palate: Initially silky and rich, turning into a slight burn as the alcohol kicks in. The initial flavour is creamy caramel, but this soon opens into almost everything described in the nose, plus hints of nuts and even a slight suggestion of molasses. This is good, creamy, silky, rich and one for my Christmas list if I can find one!

Finish: Loooooooooooooong, very long.

Overall Impression: An excellent sherried dram which is very civilised, rounded and complex. I like it! Dear Santa .....