St. Magdalene

Distillery
Linlithgow, West Lothian , Scotland

Whiskies (241)

241 St. Magdalene whiskies are currently listed on Whiskybase.

Price ranges

100
80
60
40
20
0
€0 - 49
(65)
€50 - 149
(12)
€150 - 249
(8)
€250 - 499
(9)
€500 - 999
(60)
€1000+
(87)

Contact

marker-pin-01

Address

St. Magdalene's

EH49 6AQ

Linlithgow, West Lothian

Scotland

About St. Magdalene

The land that would become the (now-closed) St. Magdalene Distillery was first known for something entirely different: a leper house. In the mid-18th century, the site shifted to whisky-making, with commercial distilling formally established around 1798 by Adam Dawson. The distillery retained the name of the hospital that had once stood there, carrying forward a sense of continuity even as its purpose changed.


St. Magdalene operated through the 19th and 20th centuries, producing a regional style-defining Lowland single malt, most of which was used in blends. By the 1980s, facing significant oversupply, owners DCL shuttered the distillery. It marked the end of whisky production in Linlithgow.

It’s still possible to visit the site of St. Magdalene and see its distinctive twin pagoda roofs, preserved and protected as part of a Category C listed structure.


Quick Facts

Region Lowlands
Country Scotland

Timeline

Foundation and Early Beginnings

St. Magdalene (originally Linlithgow distillery) is established by Sebastian Henderson on lands rented from a former convent.

1753

Formal Unification and Family Legacy

St. Magdalene and Bonnytoun are officially united under the St. Magdalene name, continuing under Dawson family ownership.

1826

Founding Role in Scottish Malt Distillers

St. Magdalene becomes one of the founding members of DCL’s Scottish Malt Distillers subsidiary.

1914

Final Official Bottling

A 30-year-old single malt (1973 vintage) is released under the Linlithgow name as part of Diageo’s Special Releases — the last official St. Magdalene whisky to date.

2004

Revival Through Rare Malts Selection

Diageo includes St. Magdalene in its Rare Malts Selection with legendary cask-strength 1970 and 1979 vintages.


2025

Expansion Under Dawson Ownership

Adam Dawson acquires St. Magdalene and merges it with his Bonnytoun distillery, greatly expanding the site.

1798

End of Dawson Era and Corporate Takeover

Following the liquidation of A&J Dawson & Co., the distillery is sold to Distillers Company Ltd (DCL).

1912

Closure and End of Distilling in Linlithgow

DCL shuts down St. Magdalene as part of industry-wide cutbacks, marking the end of nearly 200 years of distilling.


1983

Site Redevelopment and Architectural Preservation

The distillery buildings are converted into residential flats; key historic features like the malting barn and pagoda roofs are preserved.

2025

Timeline

1753

Foundation and Early Beginnings

St. Magdalene (originally Linlithgow distillery) is established by Sebastian Henderson on lands rented from a former convent.

1798

Expansion Under Dawson Ownership

Adam Dawson acquires St. Magdalene and merges it with his Bonnytoun distillery, greatly expanding the site.

1826

Formal Unification and Family Legacy

St. Magdalene and Bonnytoun are officially united under the St. Magdalene name, continuing under Dawson family ownership.

1912

End of Dawson Era and Corporate Takeover

Following the liquidation of A&J Dawson & Co., the distillery is sold to Distillers Company Ltd (DCL).

1914

Founding Role in Scottish Malt Distillers

St. Magdalene becomes one of the founding members of DCL’s Scottish Malt Distillers subsidiary.

1983

Closure and End of Distilling in Linlithgow

DCL shuts down St. Magdalene as part of industry-wide cutbacks, marking the end of nearly 200 years of distilling.


2004

Final Official Bottling

A 30-year-old single malt (1973 vintage) is released under the Linlithgow name as part of Diageo’s Special Releases — the last official St. Magdalene whisky to date.

2025

Site Redevelopment and Architectural Preservation

The distillery buildings are converted into residential flats; key historic features like the malting barn and pagoda roofs are preserved.

2025

Revival Through Rare Malts Selection

Diageo includes St. Magdalene in its Rare Malts Selection with legendary cask-strength 1970 and 1979 vintages.


Distillery Details

Capacity 1 MLPA
Water Source On-site artesian well
Grain Type Lightly peated early; non-peated from 1950s
Distillation Type Traditional pot stills
Whisky Produced Lowland Single Malt
Maltings on Site Yes
Maltings Type Floor Maltings
Number of Washbacks 14
Washback Capacity ~29,500 L
Wash Stills 2
Wash Still Heating Coal/ Coke-fired
Spirit Stills 3
Spirit Still Type Pot Stills
Spirit Still Heating Coal/ Coke-fired
Maturation on Site? Yes

Price ranges

100
80
60
40
20
0
€0 - 49
(65)
€50 - 149
(12)
€150 - 249
(8)
€250 - 499
(9)
€500 - 999
(60)
€1000+
(87)

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