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Glasgow Distillery Commemorates 1725 Malt Tax Uprising with new blended malt whisky

Glasgow Distillery has announced the launch of its new Malt Riot Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.

Malt Riot is a selected blend of handpicked single malts from across Scotland, with the distillery’s Glasgow 1770 Single Malt sitting at the heart of the spirit.

The new whisky re-tells the story of the malt tax protests that took place in 1725, which demanded the tax on malted barley be overturned. In Glasgow, malt stores were barricaded, and the home of Daniel Campbell, the local member of parliament and former Collector of Taxes for the Port of Glasgow who originally supported the introduction of the malt tax, was destroyed.

In a bizarre twist of fate, Daniel Campbell was compensated for the damage by the city of Glasgow and used the money to purchase the island of Islay and part of Jura. He encouraged local farmers to seed surplus barley and ignited the legal production of single malt scotch whisky, which was to spread over time across Scotland.

Malt Riot celebrates this story of unity by bringing together a range of single malts from across the Scottish whisky regions and blending them together as one. 

On the nose, Malt Riot offers notes of freshly planed oak, sweet vanilla slices and hints of floral hyacinth. Toffee apples open up the palate, followed by dry spices and caramelised pineapple, leading to a light and smooth finish with ripples of milk chocolate, fruit and nut.

Liam Hughes, CEO and Co-Founder of The Glasgow Distillery Company said: “The story of the malt riots is a really powerful one for us to tell. Not only does it heavily involve the people of Glasgow taking a stand for what they believe in, but it was a catalyst that helped forge the Scotch Whisky industry as we know it today.”

“This story has been largely forgotten and is not widely known until now and is a wonderful example of  the fiery passion and determination that continues to live on in our city. Glasgow is a city full of passionate people, who constantly stand up for what they believe in, igniting positive change at home and across the world; I guess it’s true what they say, people really do make Glasgow!”

Malt Riot Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at a strength of 40% ABV and is now available for purchase from the Glasgow Distillery website & independent retailers at an RRP of £25 per bottle.

3 June 2020 -