Black Middens

Distillery Name : Black Middens Distillery

Distillery Area : Highland, Scotland

Product : Malt Whisky

Operated Between : 1825 - 1833

Current Status : Inactive

Location : Blackmiddens, Cabrach, Banffshire.

Map Grid Reference : NJ425259

Current Owner : None

Notes : Also Blackmiddens Distillery, Buck Distillery.

Excavated in 2021, The distillery, Blackmiddens, was one of the first farms to be granted a licence to make whisky following the Excise Act of 1823, although it is believed that illicit production was going on before then. Blackmiddens’ official operations were only short-lived, spanning 1825-1833, and after production stopped the distillery fell into ruin.*

 

Timeline

1825-1833 - James Smith.

1833 - James Smith dies. Wife Elizabeth Smith takes over.**

1833 - Distillery closed.* **

 

References

The Scotch Whisky Industry Record - H. Charles Craig, 1994.

*Archaeology.co.uk

**A Quick Buck: An Early Licensed Whisky Distillery at Blackmiddens Farm in the Cabrach - Darroch D.M. Bratt and Peter Bye-Jensen