Lindores
Friar John 2026
- 52.5
- 70cl
- Taste: 3
- Lowland
Lindores Abbey Distillery is located in Newburgh in Fife, Scotland. The history of the distillery dates back to the 12th century, when David Earl of Huntingdon founded the abbey. In the year 1494, in the exchequer rolls of Dunfermline (the Scottish capital at the time) it was recorded - “To Friar John Cor, 8 bolls of Malt, wherewith to make Aqua Vitae for King James IV”. This was the first...
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Lindores Abbey Distillery is located in Newburgh in Fife, Scotland. The history of the distillery dates back to the 12th century, when David Earl of Huntingdon founded the abbey. In the year 1494, in the exchequer rolls of Dunfermline (the Scottish capital at the time) it was recorded -
“To Friar John Cor, 8 bolls of Malt, wherewith to make Aqua Vitae for King James IV”.
This was the first ever written mention of whisky being made in Scotland. Friar Jon Cor was the Friar of Lindores Abbey, Fife, in the Scottish Lowlands. In 2017, Drew McKenzie Smith decided to bring back whisky making to its original home, by officially opening Lindores Abbey Distillery.
Today, the distillery continues to produce single malt Scotch whisky, carrying on the legacy of the monks who once practiced the craft there centuries ago.
The Friar John bottlings are a yearly celebration of the man at the core of Lindores' whisky legacy. The distillery team fully matured this 2026 edition in Ruby Port casks before bottling it at 52.5% ABV.
Official Tasting Notes
Colour - Mahogany.
Nose - Mellow dates, dark raisins covered in chocolate, figs and berry jam with nutty notes and cinnamon.
Palate - Rich strawberry jam, dates, dark sugar syrup, vibrant spices, oaky vanilla with layers of chocolate, marzipan and roasted almonds. Soft texture on the palate, well balanced and high complexity.
Finish - Long lasting finish with notes of chocolate and spices.
“To Friar John Cor, 8 bolls of Malt, wherewith to make Aqua Vitae for King James IV”.
This was the first ever written mention of whisky being made in Scotland. Friar Jon Cor was the Friar of Lindores Abbey, Fife, in the Scottish Lowlands. In 2017, Drew McKenzie Smith decided to bring back whisky making to its original home, by officially opening Lindores Abbey Distillery.
Today, the distillery continues to produce single malt Scotch whisky, carrying on the legacy of the monks who once practiced the craft there centuries ago.
The Friar John bottlings are a yearly celebration of the man at the core of Lindores' whisky legacy. The distillery team fully matured this 2026 edition in Ruby Port casks before bottling it at 52.5% ABV.
Official Tasting Notes
Colour - Mahogany.
Nose - Mellow dates, dark raisins covered in chocolate, figs and berry jam with nutty notes and cinnamon.
Palate - Rich strawberry jam, dates, dark sugar syrup, vibrant spices, oaky vanilla with layers of chocolate, marzipan and roasted almonds. Soft texture on the palate, well balanced and high complexity.
Finish - Long lasting finish with notes of chocolate and spices.
Tasting Rating Guide
1: Light, good for beginners - an aperitif on a summers day, i.e. Glengoyne, Auchentoshan
2: Also good for beginners but with more depth and body - a little stronger than 1, ie. Glenmorangie, Speyburn
3: A dram for everyone, a little more complex so the palate requires a little more experience, i.e. Cragganmore, Macallan
4: A stronger spirit, a big whisky with lots of character and body, excellent after dinner, i.e. Lagavulin, Laphroaig