Ardgowan Distillery: A “Cathedral of Whisky”
Ardgowan Distillery, located in Inverclyde, has appointed Paul Currie as its new chairman. Currie, who co-founded the Isle of Arran Distillers and The Lakes Distillery, brings 30 years of experience in independent distilleries to the role.
Construction and Sustainability Efforts
The distillery, referred to as a “cathedral of whisky,” is set to open this year, with the capacity to produce up to a million liters of premium whisky annually. The project initially faced delays due to Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, but construction is currently underway near Inverkip, 30 miles west of Glasgow. The distillery is committed to sustainability and quality, as evidenced by its investment in unique Infinity casks and its implementation of extensive heat recovery and heat storage in the whisky-making process.
Key Figures and Investments
The team at Ardgowan Distillery includes industry veterans such as David Keir, a founding director of The GlenAllachie Distillers, and Stuart Macpherson, the ex-Macallan master of wood. Additionally, the distillery has received significant investment, including £5 million from UK-based spirits producer Distil, and grants, including £982,000 from the Scottish government’s Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme in 2017.
Vision and Visitor Experience
Paul Currie expressed his enthusiasm for supporting the development of the Clan Ardgowan program and contributing to establishing Ardgowan as a leading single malt brand. The distillery also aims to bring a visitor experience similar to that of The Lakes Distillery, reflecting its commitment to creating a unique and engaging environment for whisky enthusiasts.
