The Spirit of the Clyde: My Experience at Glasgow’s Newest Distillery

I’m not a big whisky drinker, but I’ve always been fascinated by city tours and local history. Since this distillery is a relatively modern addition to the riverfront, I wanted to pop along and see how they’ve brought the story of the old Queen’s Dock back to life. It absolutely did not disappoint!

The vibe

Sleek modern craftsmanship meets cosy, storytelling-led heritage with a completely unpretentious, welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

The experience

On arrival, we were directed through to the bar to wait for our tour to begin. The bar was lovely, cosy, and it was genuinely impressive looking at the thought and care that was put into the surroundings, really giving off modern vibes, which still maintained a classic feel. When the tour was about to start, our guide arrived in the bar and guided us through to the tour introduction room, sharing stories about Glasgow’s long-standing connection to whisky and how this space came to be.

After a short introductory video, we were taken to a self-guided gallery section to read about the heritage of the building and the surrounding docklands. Afterwards we headed straight into the production area to see the machinery in action. It’s all very modern, sleek, and shiny, and seeing the distillation process up close gives you a whole new appreciation for the craft.

We wrapped up the tour around a large tasting table to try three different drams. Even though whisky is still a bit strong for my personal taste and I couldn’t quite finish mine, you can tell immediately that they are serving high-quality spirits. If you’re in the same boat, my top non-drinker tip is not to feel any pressure to polish off your glasses – the history, guided stories, and views from the Still House are easily worth the ticket price alone.

Glasgow IRL Pro-Tip: Actually tasting the whisky is optional. You can still listen to the tour guide and smell the different types.

The verdict

This is a brilliant outing if you love local history, industrial architecture, or simply want a premium, modern tourist experience in the city. It’s ideal for anyone who enjoys seeing behind the scenes of a working local business, though if you’re looking for a dark, old-fashioned, “dusty cellar” vibe, keep in mind that this is very much a sleek 21st-century setup. Even if you don’t consider yourself a whisky fan, it’s a fresh, welcoming, and completely non-intimidating way to experience a different side of Glasgow’s heritage.

Ideal for: Whisky lovers or people who are keen to know about the history of the site.
Maybe not for: People who don’t like whisky and history.

Have you experienced the Clydeside Distillery before? If so, let us know what you thought in the comments.

The details