Or the revival of a Lowlands distillery

Among the numerous distilleries currently active in Scotland, Bladnoch distinguishes itself in several manners. For a start, it is one of only 3 distilleries in the Lowlands, figure which is to be compared to the about 70 distilleries currently producing in the Highlands. Then, Bladnoch is kind of a miraculously saved distillery : without the energy and the tenacity of an Irishman quite out of the ordinary, Raymond Armstrong, this distillery situated in the Machars peninsula in the heart of Galloway, would probably have come to a revival in year 2000 after having been mothballed for seven years. It is likely that it would have eventually been transformed, perhaps even simply been demolished to make room to new buildings and a new activity, as has already been the case for other distilleries.

Also, nested within a small valley by a bend of the river which gave its name to the distillery, with its buildings being perfectly preserved and having kept all of their original style, Bladnoch is arguabely one of the most attractive distilleries from the country of whisky.

In December 2000, after having had to solve innumerable technical and administrative problems, Raymond Armstrong was finally able to reinsufflate life into the distillery : the pot stills being at last heated again have started again to run, and the seducing aromas of wash and of spirit are to be smelt once more in the air.

Being an enthusiastic character, imaginative and determined, Raymond, with the complicity of his stillman John Herries, keeps multiplying trials with the aim of producing the whisky of the best quality and character possible. Bladnoch having totally ceased production between 1993 and 2000, bottles of this Lowlands full of seduction are currently rather rare on the market. One will have to wait several years until the spirit which has been distilled again since the end of year 2000 reach its full maturity.

Those who were lucky enough to taste the whisky currently maturing in the warehouse have little doubt that patience will be greatly rewarded. Also, beside the casks recently distilled and being aged in the shade of the warehouse, a few more are to be found which date back to prior 1993 when the distillery had been mothballed. Those are now at their peak, ready to be bottled, and there are a few "jewels" amongst them.

The distillery is open to visitors and if you go to Bladnoch, with a little bit of luck you may have Raymond himself as your guide, and you will find it very difficult to resist to his communicative enthusiasm. In all cases, there can be no doubt that you will spend a very enjoyable time, which in itself alone will justify to make a detour in this beautiful area of Scotland, yet too little known, which Galloway is.

If you cannot wait and are not afraid of travelling in the past, we propose to you to visit without delay the distillery with the journalist John Barnard : that was in... 1886, and yet that was already 70 years after its creation by Thomas McClelland.

Visit Bladnoch distillery in 1886

To visit the distillery nowadays :

Bladnoch distillery
Wigtown, Wigtownshire, DG8 9AB, Scotland
Tel/fax : 44 (0)1988 402 605

The distillery is open to visitors from mid-March to mid-October. We suggest that prior to your visit you give a phone call to check and arrange it in the best conditions.