Our close neighbours here in Crossgar, Shortcross based in the Rademon Estate was founded in 2012 by husband and wife team David and Fiona Boyd Armstrong with the aim of rekindling a distilling tradition that had been somewhat lost in Ireland, that of craft distilling. Building their reputation with their exceptional Gin, they have also been making whiskey since 2015 with their inaugural whiskey release coming in December 2021. They strive to create as much flavour as possible in every step of the whiskey making process. Carefully considering every detail from mash bills to fermentation, distillation and maturation. Always innovating and trying new things they have released many exciting editions, with more maturing in barrel we can’t wait to see what they release in the future.

Shortcross Range

Benromach

Owned by the Urquhart family of Gordon & MacPhail, retailers and independent bottlers for 130 years, the family were finally able to fulfil a dream of owning their own distillery when they purchased the inactive Benromach distillery in 1993. Officially reopened in 1998 they were able to start bottling their first spirit in 2004. Looking to revive lost Speyside whisky making traditions they create rich single malts with just a hint of smoke something that modern Speyside malts have moved away from. With their history as independent bottlers the whisky’s from Benromach highlight batches, casks and vintages showcasing the individuality of each release.

Benromach Range

Ardnamurchan

Built by Adelphi an independent bottling company, the Ardnamurchan distillery is based on the peninsula of the same name in the Western Highlands. They broke ground on the distillery in 2013 and it was completed in May 2014. One of Scotland’s greenest distilleries, they run on renewable energy from local sources and use an eco-friendly philosophy in packaging using 50% recycled glass bottles and selling their whisky without a gift box. With many casks filled and maturing we are only now at the beginning of the distillery releases now 11 years after production started.

 

Ardnamurchan AD

 

Penderyn

Conceptualised in a pub in the Welsh valleys, a group of friends discussed establishing the first whisky distillery in Wales in over a century. Penderyn in the Brecon Beacons National park was chosen as the site due to the supply of fresh spring water, the name of the village also became the name of the whisky. Opened on St David’s day in 2004 they make a lighter, fruitier style of whisky. Winning many awards over their history they have put Welsh whisky on the map.

Penderyn Madeira Welsh Malt

Penderyn Rich Oak Welsh Malt 

Nc’Nean

Founded by Annabel Thomas in 2017, Nc’nean was set up with a mission to change the way the world thinks about whisky from Scotland. Located on the Morvern peninsula on the West coast of Scotland their copper pot stills are powered by 100% renewable energy achieving Net Zero carbon emissions for their distillery production.  They are organic certified using 100% organic unpeated Scottish barley in the whisky. Showing stone fruit, lemon and sweet spice on the palate, this elegant whisky from an innovative producer is well worth trying.

Nc'nean Organic 

Kilchoman

Founded by Anthony and Kathy Wills from a collection of derelict farm buildings in 2005, Kilchoman is the first new distillery created on the revered Islay in 124 years. Using a “100% Islay” philosophy Anthony and Kathy wanted to resurrect the grassroots tradition of farm distilling. They grow and malt their own barley, distil on site, and bottle whiskies that are distinctly Islay. Smoky and briny but with beautiful fresh fruit undertones that sets them apart. Kilchoman is a distillery where the responsibility for quality and consistency is not outsourced but completed on-site with skill, care and attention to detail.

Kilchoman Machir Bay