Glen Mhor

15/11/2024

While the Glen Mhor research project may have hit a lull, my door is always open, and I believe it’s precisely moments where it sparks into life - much to the delight of those who have followed the journey.

Lately, I've missed out on a couple of auction lots that could have shed more light on the distillery's history. I should say 'we', as I handle much of the legwork, but I know my efforts resonate with many. It’s disheartening to watch potential treasures slip away into private hands, lost to the world, potentially forever. Nevertheless, the work persists, albeit at a quieter pace, patiently awaiting those serendipitous moments when a new discovery lands in my inbox, ready to be shared with you.

Yes, we have such a moment right now.

https://www.glenmhorwhisky.com/2024/11/spirits-within-by-rodney-burtt.html

15/11/2024

While the Glen Mhor research project may have hit a lull, my door is always open, and I believe it’s precisely moments where it sparks into life - much to the delight of those who have followed the journey.

Lately, I’ve missed out on a couple of auction lots that could have shed more light on the distillery’s history. I should say ‘we’, as I handle much of the legwork, but I know my efforts resonate with many. It’s disheartening to watch potential treasures slip away into private hands, lost to the world, potentially forever. Nevertheless, the work persists, albeit at a quieter pace, patiently awaiting those serendipitous moments when a new discovery lands in my inbox, ready to be shared with you.

Yes, we have such a moment right now.

(Full article on the site)

11/11/2024

The website may have hit pause as the treasure trove of Glen Mhor content ran dry, but the quest for knowledge is far from over.

It was a letdown to miss the 1907 pamphlet last week, yet its very existence reminds us that valuable materials can resurface unexpectedly. This is why I’m thrilled about this recent find.

Those who have been following along will remember the elusive work of Rodney Burtt from the early 2000s. All we had was a title and a glimmer of hope. Thanks to Alan Wi******er, we can now piece together a bit more about what this lost gem might reveal - the search for the complete text is still on.

Stay tuned for an article on Glen Mhor coming your way soon.

11/11/2024

The website may have hit a pause as the treasure trove of Glen Mhor discoveries dwindled, but the quest for knowledge is far from over.

It was a letdown to miss the 1907 pamphlet last week, yet its very existence reminds us that valuable materials can resurface unexpectedly. This is why I’m thrilled about this recent find.

Those who have been following along will remember the elusive work of Rodney Burtt from the early 2000s. All we had was a title and a glimmer of hope. Thanks to Alan Wi******er, we can now piece together a bit more about what this lost work might reveal - the search for the complete text is still on.

Stay tuned for an article on Glen Mhor coming your way soon.

05/11/2024

A remarkable item recently surfaced at Whisky Auctioneer, but unfortunately, I couldn’t secure it during the bidding process. I had to bow out at £150 before costs, which meant this 8-page treasure ended up costing nearly £200 after fees. A thank you to for providing the image.

While it’s disappointing not to have won, I respect my limits and extend my congratulations to the successful bidder. If they’re willing to share digital images of the other seven pages, I’d love to delve deeper and help spread the knowledge to a broader audience, and pay a publication fee. One of my guiding principles is to ensure that information remains accessible to everyone, fostering a greater understanding.

That said, this lot serves as a testament to the resilience of even the most delicate documents in our digital era. It gives me hope that other treasures will eventually surface.

05/11/2024

Sadly, we'll have to put this into the one that got away file and hope it resurfaces one day to aid the research...

Glen Mhor Whisky Distillery

02/11/2024

An incredibly thrilling item is currently available at auction.

This marks my first sighting of the 1907 trade insert dedicated to Glen Mhor. It’s a reprint by Mackinlay & Birnie, though the exact date remains a mystery.

The auctioneer is showcasing only the cover, leaving us to wonder about the treasures hidden within. I have a hunch that it contains some of the images we've previously unearthed of the newly constructed distillery, along with possibly some excerpts from the elusive ‘Peep into’ commission by Alfred Barnard.

Should I emerge victorious, I plan to digitise every page and share it online for everyone to enjoy and delve into further.

05/10/2024

Great to read a collection of Glen Mhor reviews over at today from and his thoughts.

A unique profile that’s sadly been lost to time.

I’ll send more samples in due course.

20/09/2024

It fills me with immense joy to reflect on the fact that after three and a half years of dedicated online exploration, we have finally wrapped up the Glen Mhor research project, a journey that has been in the making for many years before that.

Don’t worry - this marks merely the beginning of unwrapping of the first layer, with a new layer to utilise one day. I have numerous Mhor possibilities in the pipeline, loose threads to tie up, archives to visit, and exciting opportunities to delve into as I navigate the intricate tapestry woven by a forgotten distillery.

20/09/2024

It fills me with immense joy to reflect on the fact that after three and a half years of dedicated online exploration, we have finally wrapped up the Glen Mhor research project, a journey that has been in the making for many years before that.

Don't worry - this marks merely the beginning of unwrapping of the first layer, with a new layer to utilise one day. I have numerous Mhor possibilities in the pipeline, loose threads to tie up, archives to visit, and exciting opportunities to delve into as I navigate the intricate tapestry woven by a forgotten distillery.

The experience has been enjoyable, fulfilling, and, in a positive sense, quite the investment of time and resources. My goal to elevate Glen Mhor's profile within the distillery narrative has been successful, placing it prominently in any historical account. I am grateful for the wonderful individuals (you know who you are) who have supported me throughout this endeavour, as well as the descendants who have generously shared their time and insights.

Now feels like the perfect moment to pause, take stock, and gather my thoughts. With my son embarking on his school journey, our household is in need of a new routine that will take some time to settle. I need to carve out new opportunities to dive into books and gather the necessary materials, creating a dedicated space for them. It will all fall into place; I’m confident that in the coming months, everything will come together.

I need a moment to reflect and process the wealth of information I've gathered about Glen Albyn, which will ultimately lead to fresh discoveries regarding Glen Mhor and it'll be a slow burn. Just this week, I’ve been lending a hand to the Uilebheist Distillery in Inverness with some historical inquiries and reminiscing with a well-known figure in the industry. Moreover, there’s the thrilling possibility of tasting more Glen Mhor bottles, a pursuit I’ve neglected while immersing myself in research.

Lately, I've received numerous inquiries about hosting another Glen Mhor tasting - a chance to revel in the spirit once more. I'm feeling inclined to facilitate a tasting in 2025, even if it means taking a financial hit. There are plans brewing, and I'm eager to see how they unfold. It could turn into a grand celebration of Inverness, showcasing all three distilleries, giving us the perfect opportunity to compare notes and slay some elusive unicorns. All for research purposes of course.

To those enjoying a Glen Mhor while exploring this online project, I hope you appreciate the efforts of someone who may have taken things a bit too far - my future epitaph, perhaps. And to anyone contemplating a dive into researching their favourite distillery, I encourage you to take the plunge. The information is out there, just waiting for someone with the determination to piece it all together.

Jason J.

Glen Mhor Whisky Distillery

13/09/2024

The last piece of the collection, obtained last year through the Go Fund Me campaign, has finally arrived. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to that effort, allowing me to delve into each document and share them with a broader audience. If the chance arises to gather more documents, I would eagerly pursue that opportunity again. It’s reasonable to believe that a considerable amount of material from the distillery office was preserved, and I hope it can be found somewhere.

This seems likely, as I recall numerous documents surfacing at a car boot sale a few years back, and we’ve also seen individual pieces popping up on eBay and through online auction houses in clusters. Glen Mhor appears to have a robust presence in this regard compared to other distilleries, suggesting a promising future, even as we approach the conclusion of the documents we’ve gathered so far.

13/09/2024

The last piece of the collection, obtained last year through the Go Fund Me campaign, has finally arrived. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to that effort, allowing me to delve into each document and share them with a broader audience. If the chance arises to gather more documents, I would eagerly pursue that opportunity again. It’s reasonable to believe that a considerable amount of material from the distillery office was preserved, and I hope it can be found somewhere.

Glen Mhor Whisky Distillery

06/09/2024

This is the final Highland Railway Company invoice to be acquired as part of the document collection, which was obtained last October. I would like to extend my gratitude once again to all those who contributed to the acquisition, enabling me to make the documents available online and incorporate them into this research project.

We are now at the end of 1916, and this invoice is from the company based at Inverness Goods Station. As is the common approach, I'll transcribe the entries and then consider what they tell us.

One particularly rewarding aspect of these invoices has been their capacity to illuminate a hitherto relatively obscure era in Glen Mhor's history. The invoices collectively highlight the operational aspects of a distillery, including the transportation of casks, yeast, and raw materials. This is more information than is typically available about most distilleries and I'm pleased by the insight they have provided.

https://www.glenmhorwhisky.com/2024/09/december-1916-canal-basin-highland.html

Send a message to learn more

30/08/2024

My examination of the 1916 train invoices has reached an intriguing stage. This is the inaugural example that bears the distinctive Canal Basin stamp. This location is situated along the quayside, in proximity to Glen Albyn (see the image below), and would have offered immediate access for boats and heavier loads shipped in from across the country.

Glen Mhor Whisky Distillery

30/08/2024

My examination of the 1916 train invoices has reached an intriguing stage. This is the inaugural example that bears the distinctive Canal Basin stamp. This location is situated along the quayside, in proximity to Glen Albyn (see the image below), and would have offered immediate access for boats and heavier loads shipped in from across the country.

24/08/2024

My thanks to Gladys for her time and sharing these memories which will be eagerly consumed by many enthusiasts like myself.

‘At the front of the office there was a green, no one was allowed to stand on it. That green was like gold to Birnie, he would get one of staff to place the metal numbers where there holes and this was his mini golf course.

In all the years, I never saw anyone playing. Never did I see a long blade of grass it was always cut to perfection.’

It seems long overdue for a distillery to have a golf course, arguably the sort of thing that Macallan or Glenmorangie would consider in today’s environment. However, this startling revelation underlines just how much authority William Birnie had at Glen Mhor. Surprisingly, the original plans for the distillery office in 1924 did not include a golf course. William’s love of golf and curling is well documented, as is that of his father, John Birnie, who was a highly regarded local amateur golfer and co-founder of the distillery.

23/08/2024

A recent conversation with Gladys, daughter of former Glen Mhor foreman Sandy Robertson, revealed that she has a treasure trove of memories of her father and her childhood growing up in one of the Glen Albyn cottages.

Having brought you the wonderful moment of her father's retirement in 1975, further questions led to more memories and recollections of life in and around the distillery. I've debated whether to just put these on our quotes page or try to formulate further articles around these new nuggets of information.

I've decided to put them together in this 'memories of' section and talk a little about each one. What I've learnt over the years is that every detail, no matter how small, helps us to build this wonderful resource on a lost distillery in Muirtown, Inverness.

Glen Mhor Whisky Distillery

02/08/2024

This week I dig into the find that Glen Mhor sourced an element of its peat needs from a local source in Foyers, Loch Ness. Thanks to Gladys for remembering this detail that adds to what we know about the distillery.

Also, I'm taking a couple of weeks off (family holiday) and this will also allow me to prepare more information about Glen Mhor and Glen Albyn.

Glen Mhor Whisky Distillery