Stannergill Distillery Officially Opened by King Charles III
King Fills Sherry Cask with New Make Spirit, Marking Six-Year Historic Mill Transformation
On July 29, King Charles III visited Thurso in Caithness, Scotland, to officially open the Stannergill Distillery, owned by Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd. Upon his arrival, apprentice distiller Glenn piped the King into the building, marking the start of a full distillery tour.
Related Reading: Complete Guide to Scotch Whisky: From the Five Regions and Legal Definitions to Independent Bottlings and Single Casks
Personally Filling an Oloroso Sherry Cask
During his tour of the distillation facilities, King Charles III rolled up his sleeves to fill an Oloroso sherry cask with Stannergill Distillery's new make spirit. The cask is now maturing in the distillery warehouse, destined to become the King's very own single malt whisky.
Related Reading: What Is a Sherry Cask? A Complete Guide to PX, Oloroso, Sherry Types, Flavours, and Whisky Influence
When the distillery team informed the King that the whisky would need several years of maturation before it is ready to drink, King Charles III smiled and replied, "I hope I'm still here to drink it." This witty remark was one of the highlights of the visit.
Six-Year Renovation Brings Century-Old Mill Back to Life
The distillery was converted from a historic old mill, with the entire refurbishment and conservation project spanning six years. Touring spaces such as The Grain Store Restaurant, The Atrium, and The StillHouse, the King praised the mill's revitalisation as "wonderful".
At the conclusion of the visit, King Charles III unveiled a commemorative plaque in The Atrium. Family, friends, skilled craftspeople, historians, investors, and supporters who helped bring the project to fruition gathered on the stairs overlooking the atrium, witnessing the official opening of the historic building they had worked together to save.
📅 Release Date: 2026-09-07
🔗 Source: Whisky Intelligence