Wilson (Willowbank) Distillery
The Wilson’s Dunedin Distillery, also known as Willowbank Distillery, it has been dismantled and the bits sold off in 2000. AT its time Willowbank was the most southerly whisky distillery in the world. Whiskys were bottled as Milford and Lammerlaw (named after a nearby mountain range) and were highly regarded. The remaining barrels of Lammerlaw have been bottled into their own label. The New Zealand Single Malt Whisky Company have secured the remaining single malt stocks that are still ageing in barrels. The Milford Brand was created to showcase this fine, limited edition, single malt. The distilling equipment at the Willowbank Distillery has since been dismantled. They hope to start distilling again in the future, and are looking forward to seeing the industry flourish around the country yet again.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
