Ardgowan Distillery Completes First Whisky Cask Filling

Ardgowan Distillery, situated on Scotland’s west coast in Inverkip, officially commenced production on June 20, 2025, celebrating the milestone with its first cask filling ceremony. This event marks the distillery as the first new Scotch whisky producer in the Inverclyde region in more than 100 years.

Founded by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain, the distillery has been in development since 2017, taking eight years to complete. Its design draws inspiration from Nordic longhouses, featuring a 97% recycled aluminum roof and a strong commitment to sustainability. Grain, along with distillery manager Laura Davies, led the team in filling the first Infinity Casks, symbolizing the start of the distillery’s whisky-making journey.

These European oak casks, developed in collaboration with Bodegas Miguel Martín and former The Macallan cask master Stuart MacPherson, underwent a three-year sherry seasoning process. They are designed for long-term maturation, reflecting the distillery’s vision to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky—emphasizing traditional craftsmanship with premium oak and extended sherry cask aging.

In terms of environmental practices, the distillery employs heat vapor recompression technology to recycle waste heat, aiming for carbon-neutral production. From construction to processes, the distillery balances flavor excellence with ecological responsibility.

A visitor center set to open this summer will offer diverse experiences. The first cask is now resting in the warehouse, and its quality will determine Ardgowan’s standing in the whisky world. With robust resources, an experienced team, sustainable principles, and a long-term cask strategy, this new distillery is steadily realizing its ambitious vision.

2025-06-23

Source- https-//www.masterofmalt.com/blog/post/ardgowan-distillery-fills-its-first-cask.aspx/