Port of Leith Distillery is a few years away from releasing whisky, but its owners aren’t waiting quietly until that point is reached. They’ve been releasing a number of compelling products, including something called a Table Whisky and the Perpetuity Blended Scotch.
But before we dive into those I’d be remiss not to comment on Port of Leith Distillery. Just briefly, but still. I visited Port of Leith Distillery a few months ago and came away thoroughly impressed. I’ll admit to not being very informed on their operation beforehand, but co-founder Ian Stirling made sure that changed during an in-depth tour.
Port of Leith Distillery only started producing whisky in early 2024, but I feel like they quickly found a sense of direction. The vertical distillery is spread out over eight floors, a result of the small footprint on the edge of Leith’s docks. The only way to fit everything on the site was to built upwards. Seeing the washbacks almost suspended in the air was a sight, that’s for sure.
They’ve been producing different types of new makes after trialling 24 different yeast strains. One of Port of Leith Distillery’s new makes is made with Voss Kveik, a Norwegian strain, while the other is made with a Belgian ale yeast. The experimentation with yeast strains seems to net results. Or at least, I came away impressed with the quality of their unaged spirit.
While waiting for Port of Leith Distillery’s whisky to age the Leith Export Co. was founded. This is the whisky company responsible for the two products I’m reviewing today. First up is Batch III of the Perpetuity Blend (you can find the recipe here). It’s a riff on an infinity bottle – except they use an infinity vat. I’ll let them explain.
“We fill our blending vat with mature Scotch whisky, sourced from across the country, before bottling at least half. The vat is then replenished, before once again being half emptied, the cycle repeating forever. It is an infinite vat of Scotch, delivering intriguing, complex and exquisite whisky in perpetuity.”
And then there’s the company’s Table Whisky, an impeccably designed whisky with a well thought-out concept. You might be familiar with table wine. Well, this is that, but for whisky. Leith Export Company’s Table Wine is young single grain whisky distilled at North British. It matured in ex-sherry casks and new oak casks.
Perpetuity Batch III Blended Scotch (46%, Leith Export Co., 2024)
Nose: Hints of charred oak alongside Maraschino cherries, biscuits and a touch of sour mash. There’s definitely a sliver of apfelstrudel too, you know, with some vanilla sauce and maybe even a sprinkle of cinnamon. Just a touch of sulphur in the background.
Taste: Rather creamy but also some oak shavings, then hints of melted butter, soft honeyed notes and black tea. There’s also a hint of fizzy ginger beer, cloudy apple juice and white chocolate.
Finish: Short to medium with a linger pepperiness, as well as a slight bitterness and some soft orange marmalade notes.
Table Whisky Single Grain Scotch (43%, Leith Export Co., 2025)
Nose: Hints of vanilla icing, glue and sandalwood, as well as a touch of brioche, broccoli and toffee. Becomes warmer, sweeter and rounder with time. Also a few more fruity notes pop up, such as jammy apricots and raspberry.
Taste: Quite a standard grain whisky. There’s charred oak, some solvent, hints of orange liqueur. Also ginger, a touch of cinnamon and a bit of burnt caramel. Maybe some cloves as well.
Finish: Short. Almost non-existent save for some pepper-y and oak-y notes, as well as some vanilla.
Samples provided by Leith Export Co.
