The Ardgowan Distillery build was a real feat of engineering, resulting in a striking and truly unique site that will become a landmark for whisky lovers. It’s been designed with more than just looks and flavour in mind - sustainability is at the heart of it all. Clever efficiencies like Thermal Vapour Recompression (TVR) help reduce our carbon footprint. The distillery will initially produce around one million litres of alcohol per year, with the capacity to grow to double this in time.
The Location
Ardgowan Estate’s natural spring provides pure, sweet water, ideal for whisky production. Situated close to the sea and the warming Gulf Stream, our distillery benefits from a unique maritime environment, giving our whiskies a distinctive coastal character.
The eco-friendly Ardgowan Distillery is designed with state-of-the-art technologies, including heat recovery, water conservation, and carbon capture initiatives. In partnership with Heriot-Watt University and Hydrogen Green Power, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint significantly, with a goal to eventually achieve carbon neutrality.
A Design Like No Other
At Ardgowan Distillery, our vision demanded a unique design: a striking roof with an apex dropping from 20m to 14m while maintaining a consistent 6m shoulder height. This ambitious concept posed significant engineering challenges, but with Hescott Engineering’s custom purlin system and Kalzip’s copper-bronze cladding expertise, we brought it to life. The result is more than a roof—it’s a dynamic feature that transforms with the light, reflecting stunning colours throughout the day.
THE TEAMWehaveamixofwhiskyveterans,curiousminds,andpracticaldoers-allworkingtowardscreatingsomethingspecialatArdgowanDistillery.
Ardgowan Distillery Manager Laura Davies
Laura’s industry experience spans over a decade, mastering her abilities under the guidance of the late whisky icon Dr Jim Swan at The Welsh Whisky Company (Penderyn). Here, Laura honed her technical expertise and sensory instinct, gaining a depth of understanding for production, maturation and new product development.Laura joined Ardgowan Distillery Company in 2024 and, since then, has brought her thoughtful, hands-on approach to developing various Clydebuilt Single Malts, in addition to laying down our Ardgowan distillate for many years of slumber ahead.
