Ardgowan Through the Ages: From Kings to Casks
4th February 2026
The Ardgowan name carries centuries of history. Both the former distilleries and the estate where our site now stands have been shaped by many years of conflict, craftsmanship, royalty and resilience. Learn more about the remarkable backdrop that shapes today’s modern Ardgowan Distillery.
The First Distilleries to Carry the Ardgowan Name
The original Ardgowan Distillery was founded in 1896 at 39 Baker Street in Greenock, producing grain whisky for a consortium of renowned blenders: John Walker, Robertson of Dundee, William Teacher, and Pattisons of Leith. It was an ambitious enterprise and one that would soon face extraordinary challenges.
In 1902, the distillery was acquired by The Distillers Company Ltd (DCL). Just a year later, disaster struck. A devastating fire raged for five days, claiming seven lives and leaving the local community deeply scarred.
By around 1914, Ardgowan was rebuilt and back in production, this time making yeast and grain whisky. After a three-year closure, it reopened in 1929 to produce industrial alcohol. During World War II, this alcohol played a vital role in refuelling RAF fighter planes: an unexpected but significant contribution to the war effort.
The Greenock Blitz
On the nights of the 6th and 7th of May 1941, Greenock endured two nights of relentless bombing. Although the shipyards were the intended targets, residential areas suffered the greatest damage.
Ardgowan Distillery was hit on the first night. By the second, its stores of highly flammable alcohol had turned it into an inferno of blue flames so bright it acted as a beacon for Luftwaffe bombers. Witnesses reported seeing the flames from across the town, and a stream of burning whisky was said to have flowed down Baker Street (Greenock Telegraph, 20/05/1941).
The distillery burned for two days and was almost entirely destroyed. Although the production plant was rebuilt within a month, the surrounding buildings remained in ruins for the rest of the war. Ultimately, production ceased in 1952.
The History of the Ardgowan Estate
The land that now hosts our distillery has a past equally as dramatic as the distilleries that once bore our name. From royal battles to Viking raids, the ground beneath us is incredibly rich in history.
A Fortress Against Invaders
Ardgowan Castle was constructed in the late 15th century, replacing an earlier wooden fort that served as a coastal watchtower. This original fort was built to guard against Viking invasions: an early sign of the strategic importance of this stretch of the River Clyde.
Royal Connections
Ardgowan’s story is intertwined with that of the iconic Robert the Bruce, who was King of Scotland from 1306 to 1329. He fought two battles on this very land: first on the side of the English during the taking of the castle, and later defending it as a Scot. His journey from these early conflicts to the historic victory at Bannockburn in 1314 is one of Scotland’s most enduring legends.
On the 5th of May 1404, King Robert III granted the lands of Ardgowan and Inverkip to his son, Sir John Stewart, as part of the Barony of Renfrew. The estate has remained connected to the Stewart family ever since.
Smugglers, Stills & the River Clyde
Between the 18th and 19th centuries, smuggling was woven into the fabric of life along the Firth of Clyde. Whisky, tobacco and tea were the most lucrative contraband goods, and the waters around Ardgowan were busy with merchants and smugglers alike. Illicit stills dotted the landscape, tying the estate to Scotland’s whisky story long before our “Cathedral of Whisky” took shape.
Our History So Far
The modern chapter of Ardgowan began in 2017, when Inverclyde Council approved our plans to build a new distillery and visitor centre on the historic grounds of Ardgowan Estate. It marked the start of an ambitious vision: to create a world‑class Single Malt distillery rooted in heritage yet built for the future.
Sales & Marketing Director David Keir was added to our team in 2023, bringing 30 years of commercial whisky experience honed at Bruichladdich, GlenDronach and GlenAllachie distilleries, among others.
In November 2023, construction officially began, as did filming for our short documentary, Building Ardgowan: A Distillery Reborn, available to watch now on YouTube.
Around the same time, we made a landmark £100 million investment in our bespoke Infinity Casks, created in partnership with celebrated Sherry Bodega, José y Miguel Martín. The unique European oak casks demonstrate an unprecedented commitment to quality and long-term maturation.
In April 2025, Austrian whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain was appointed CEO following his significant investment back in 2021.
A New Era of Expertise
In 2024, Laura Davies joined Ardgowan Distillery Company, bringing with her more than a decade of experience honed under the guidance of the late Dr Jim Swan, one of the most influential whisky minds of the modern era.
Laura’s hands-on approach and technical mastery have been instrumental in developing the diverse and acclaimed Clydebuilt Scotch Whisky range as well as finetuning the Ardgowan new make spirit, which has flowed from our copper stills since June 2025.
Our first cask was filled on the 17th of June, marking the rebirth of the Ardgowan name in the world of whisky. This made Ardgowan the first new distillery to operate in the Inverclyde region for over a century.
Just three days later, on the 20th of June 2025, we celebrated our distillery’s official Opening Day: a milestone eight years in the making.
Opening Our Doors
The momentum continued into August 2025, when we opened our distillery shop to the public and launched our immersive distillery tours. Led by our knowledgeable and charismatic tour guides, visitors can hear the story of Ardgowan while simultaneously exploring our pioneering site. Each experience concludes with a guided tasting of three Clydebuilt expressions, offering guests a flavour of what’s to come. To book a tour, click here.
Own a Piece of History
You can be a part of Ardgowan’s story. We are offering the chance to own a Private Cask filled with our precious Ardgowan new make spirit. For £8,304, you can acquire a first-fill Sherry hogshead from the same supplier as our Infinity Casks: José y Miguel Martín in Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain. Each cask holds approximately 250 litres and will be laid down in an on-site dunnage warehouse, fully insured, for ten years. To find out more and secure yours, click here.