Ardgowan Distillery Company secures distribution across key markets
Ardgowan Distillery Company secures distribution across key markets
23rd September 2025
Leading Scotch whisky producer Ardgowan Distillery Company Ltd has secured a series of new partnerships with global distributors for its Clydebuilt brand in moves that will accelerate its presence across key markets in Europe, North America and Asia.
Ardgowan Distillery – the home of Clydebuilt – is where casks are curated in the distillery’s warehouses and carefully selected for bottling by Distillery Manager and Whisky Maker Laura Davies.
The range takes its inspiration from the River Clyde’s illustrious shipbuilding heritage, where the term “Clydebuilt” became a byword for craftsmanship and integrity.
In August 2025, an agreement was reached between Ardgowan Distillery Company and Kammer-Kirsch GmbH, a German importer of quality spirits since 1990.
The deal gives Kammer-Kirsch exclusive distribution rights for the Ardgowan product portfolio in Germany, identified as a key market for its whisky.
The Scottish firm hopes “a close-knit collaboration will lead to Germany becoming a ‘top three’ market for Clydebuilt and eventually Ardgowan Single Malt”.
Additional routes to market have been secured through distribution partners Roy + Co in Canada, Galatea AB in Sweden, and Single Malt Sdn Bhd, who cover Singapore and Malaysia.
The agreements were negotiated by Ardgowan’s Sales & Marketing Director, David Keir, whose experience spans over 25 years of building premium spirits brands across global markets.
Commenting on the news, Keir shares:
“These new partnerships mark a significant step in Ardgowan’s journey as we bring our boutique Clydebuilt brand and future Ardgowan Single Malt to discerning whisky drinkers in these important markets. Consumers in these countries hold a strong appreciation for Scotch whisky, and by working closely with our new partners, we can share our enthusiasm for quality, innovation and craftsmanship on a much wider scale.”
Managing Director of Kammer-Kirsch GmbH, Gerald Erdrich, adds:
“We are delighted to introduce Ardgowan’s Clydebuilt range to Germany and, in due course, the first Ardgowan Single Malt. Ardgowan’s long-term vision and commitment to quality make them an ideal partner for us, and we look forward to growing the brand together in Germany.”
The distillery, which began producing Ardgowan spirit in June this year, is the first new distillery in Inverclyde for over a century and is built with sustainability at its core.
Three years prior to completion, the business invested millions of pounds (GBP) in casks, including the development of a bespoke cask size: the Infinity Cask, specifically designed for long maturation periods of 18 years or more.
The company, which was founded in 2017 and is independently owned, places a firm emphasis on its wood policy, having partnered with renowned Bodega Miguel Martín to acquire the finest European oak ex-Sherry casks.
The distribution update comes in quick succession of the introduction of a distillery shop and tours at the site in Inverkip. Experiences currently run twice a day, from Tuesday to Saturday, with plans to expand this over time.
Details of Ardgowan Distillery stockists and distribution partners can be found here.
Q&A with one of our Operators, Handsome Harry!
Read our Q&A with Harry, one of our Operators
26th August 2025
Our Operators are a crucial part of the whisky-making journey. This interview is with Harry, who’s a founding member of our operations team. He has 10 years of industry knowledge and some interesting perspectives on what it’s like being an operator at Ardgowan Distillery.
How long have you been working in whisky?
“I mean, technically, I’ve been in the industry for 10 years. I started at Kilchoman, but I was more of a seasonal production worker, so it wasn’t really as hands-on as I am now. I was working in the bottling hall and on the malt floor; tasks like that. I was pretty much an all-rounder! Next, I moved back home, and I worked for Scottish Whisky Auctions. It was an interesting part of the whisky world; I learned more about consumers and what they like, and of course, shipping bottles all over the world. I did that for a few years and was also doing things like marketing and photography for them. Then I moved to Ardgowan, and I’ve been here for 6 months.”
How did you get into distilling?
“I got into distilling by chance; you'll find that with a lot of people in the industry. I moved to Jura when I was 18. I was working in a bar there, so I met people from Jura Distillery just across the road. That was my first introduction to whisky, and a few years later, I was still in touch with those people. I had travelled a bit first, but a job came up at Kilchoman Distillery through a friend from Jura. So that’s how I got involved. Once you’re in, it's very easy to get invested in the industry as a whole. I always liked whisky, I’m proud of it, and I like what it does for Scotland. Especially here at Ardgowan, I think it’s a positive thing for the area. Inverclyde has had a tough time of late, so I think we’ve given the area a bit of a lift. Along with the other operators and me, we’ve just opened our Visitor Centre, which has brought more jobs to the area. We have big plans… we’re just getting started!”
What makes Ardgowan stand out?
“There are a few things! I think the fact that we’re heavily Sherry cask-influenced is a unique thing for a Lowland distillery; they are usually very light and fruity, easy-going whiskies. You don’t tend to find them producing a robust spirit and Sherry-driven as the plan for Ardgowan is. Obviously, the development of the Infinity Cask, a bespoke cask for just Ardgowan, is really unique – we’ve had thousands of these casks laid down in Sanlúcar De Barrameda for years in anticipation of our new make spirit. The area itself as well, especially as we’re the first new distillery in Inverclyde for over a century.”
What happens to the byproducts?
"In terms of the main byproducts, we have heat exchanger technology, so we capture and reuse heat as much as possible. Obviously, we use the residual heat in the pot ale to heat the wash still, and we use the spent lees to help charge the spirit still. We also have a Thermal Vapour Recompression (TVR) system, allowing us to reuse steam. It’s a good efficiency technology that we have. In addition to these heat recovery efforts, we also convert our pot ale into biofuel via anaerobic digestion, and the waste product from our malt, called grist, is used as cattle feed.”
Once in operation, how many cases do you expect to produce per year?
“I'm not sure how many cases. Obviously, with Ardgowan, the plan is for long maturation, especially when using the Infinity Casks. I believe the plan is to produce up to 800,000 litres of pure alcohol every year. This year, we’re obviously just beginning, so we won’t be hitting that level just yet. In terms of cases, that would be around 26,000 cases in 12 years’ time... but we need to hold some back for Ardgowan 15yo, 18yo, and maybe a 30yo in time for my retirement!”
What sizes of cask do you use?
“Right now, we are only filling Infinity Casks and hogsheads. We can’t disclose the size of the Infinity Casks; it’s an industry secret! But I can say they are absolutely massive and put our forklifts to the test. They are fun to deal with because they are so big. I mean, it’s the biggest cask I’ve ever dealt with. They are actually very nice to work with; they’ve got big bellies, but the top and bottom faces are also quite large so they aren’t like Sherry butts that can kind of get away from you. They are very steady. The Infinity Casks and hogsheads that we’re filling at the moment are both Sherry casks, and a mix of Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Oloroso Sherry. The hogshead holds 250 litres of alcohol.”
How often are samples collected?
“When we are distilling, we are constantly sampling and assessing the ABV. That’s when we know our cut points: when to move onto the ‘heart’ run from the ‘head’, and when to come off it for the ‘tail’ to run through. We sample the wort and wash to measure the gravity, which allows us to assess the conversion efficiency. This tells us how well the starches have turned into fermentable sugars, and then how successful the yeast has been in fermenting those into alcohol. Our Distillery Manager, Laura Davies, also has us sampling the older casks for our Clydebuilt range to see how they’re developing; it's not that often that we sample them, maybe a couple of times a year, but they’re in our dunnage warehouses, so it can be a lot of work to get samples drawn!”
What’s a typical day like?
“It chops and changes a lot for the operators. We’re a small team, and we’ve obviously just started distilling a few months ago, so we’re in charge of the whole process. We literally receive the malt, mash it, ferment it, distil it, cask it, and warehouse it all ourselves. Our job can essentially be designated into one or more of those jobs each day. Every day is different, depending on what the plan is and what Laura wants from us that day or week. I like it all; there is no part of the process that I don’t enjoy, and they all have their benefits. You can have a semi-relaxing day if you're on the late shift, which typically means you're just distilling, or you can have a chaotic, full-of-energy day if you're warehousing and things like that. That’s what I like about the job, at this point, a lot is going on, and it's exciting. It’s cool to see us filling these warehouses with something we’ve created; it's just annoying that we have to wait so long for someone to try it!”
What’s it like being part of the founding operations team here?
“It's really cool. That’s another quite unique thing. Ardgowan doesn’t have the history that some other distilleries have yet, which you could see negatively when comparing us to some well-established whisky companies; however, the good thing is that we’ve started in a very modern way, like we discussed earlier about efficiency and reusing heat and byproducts. There are a lot of old distilleries that can't put these processes into old buildings, or they feel like they can't change deep-rooted processes now. In contrast, Ardgowan has the advantage of being a new distillery, so we can bring in those processes from the start. I love seeing the old photos of workers when distilleries started, so being part of that now is very cool. We all started around the same time, so we’re in the same boat as a team. It's nice to grow together as a team and as a company.”
How does it feel to be part of the Infinity Cask process?
“It’s exciting, I mean, the Infinity Cask is the only new design of cask for a century. It’s a brand new, innovative design. You don’t usually get distilleries that invent their own cask and lay them down years before they’ve even built the distillery! I remember when they arrived, I knew they were going to be big, but I didn’t know they were going to be quite as big as they actually are! From previous roles, I was familiar with working with smaller casks. A lot of start-up distilleries will purposely use smaller casks as they mature faster due to the increased wood contact with the smaller volume of spirit. I find it cool that Ardgowan took the risk and substantial investment to have the European oak long maturation plan from the start. It’s expensive, but we’ve set out our stall on the style of whisky we wish to produce, and we won’t compromise on that.”
Are you a whisky drinker? If so, what kind of whisky do you drink?
“Yes, I am a whisky drinker. I am kind of a seasonal whisky drinker. If it's during the summer, I like something from Speyside, heavily Sherried. I never drink peated whisky during the summer, just for me, I think it feels wrong. I drink more Islay malts in the winter. Something in my brain tells me when it's summer, you want something light and fruity and less heavy and oily. I love all whisky. I think most of the whisky you find is decent. I rarely try something and think it's terrible. If it's made it onto a shelf, then it's typically been through several selections. I’m not really a snob about it; I can enjoy a £20 blend as much as I can enjoy a £500 Single Malt.”
What’s your favourite moment working at Ardgowan so far?
“I've had loads of brilliant wee days. It’s a nice area to work; it's quiet and feels like the countryside. I would probably say the Opening Day on 20th June was something different. We're used to working on this site, where there are five operators and a very small office team. Occasionally, we’ll get the odd contractor coming in. The Opening Day was cool as the site went from very quaint and quiet, to suddenly 5,000 people storming the gates, bands are playing live music, and tastings are going on. I would say, as an outstanding memory, that day was something a bit different, had good energy, and the weather was amazing.”
Thank you to Harry for sitting down and sharing some of his insights about Ardgowan, his role, and the whisky-making process. If you would like to see it for yourself, why not join us on a tour? Find out more here.
Ardgowan Distillery begins offering whisky tours
Ardgowan Distillery begins offering whisky tours
6th August 2025
Inverkip-based single malt producer Ardgowan invites the public behind the scenes on tours of its recently completed site.
The independent company, which opened and filled its first cask in June 2025, is now taking bookings for tours starting on Tuesday 12th August 2025.
Running twice per day at 10:30 and 14:00 from Tuesday to Saturday, the experiences will last 90 minutes and include a guided journey through the distillery and a warehouse, plus a tutored tasting for three malt whiskies from the distillery’s portfolio.
With a strong emphasis on sustainability and a number of unusual elements within their processes, an Ardgowan tour promises to uncover many unique stories and insights.
The distillery’s on-site shop will be open from 12th August at 10:00-17:00, Tuesday to Saturday, stocking Ardgowan’s Clydebuilt range of whisky.
A Distillery Exclusive Clydebuilt 2012 Pedro Ximénez Hogshead Single Cask Single Malt expression is also available for £85.
Heading up the distillery’s shop and tours is experienced Visitor Centre Manager Barbara Campbell, whose passion and rich heritage comes from being the fifth generation in her family to work in whisky.
Campbell entered the industry in 1990 as Visitor Centre Manager at Glen Ord Distillery, involved in the development of a new 5 star visitor experience, before becoming the first female Diageo Brand Ambassador.
Remarking on this significant step for Ardgowan, Campbell shares:
“When I decided to talk to Ardgowan about joining the team, my intention was to inspire a new generation of whisky drinkers, enthusiasts like me and witness whisky production move in an innovative new way.
“It was quite simply a case of ‘what’s not to love’ when you see what Ardgowan have committed to with the wonderful, sustainable new distillery, alongside their commitment to being world-class and introducing the first new cask size for many years - ‘the Infinity Cask’ - intended for a luxurious maturation to look forward to in the future.
“Like many distilleries of the past, the Visitor Centre will evolve over time as we have an ambitious vision for the future and a wonderful heritage that we will leave for those who will follow. I am excited to have the opportunity to welcome visitors to Ardgowan and hope to see many soon.”
From Tuesday 12th August, the distillery shop will be open from 10:00-17:00, Tuesday to Saturday, and 90 minute tours will run on those days at 10:30 and 14:00. Click here to book.
Clydebuilt whisky brand releases batch of Single Malts
Clydebuilt whisky brand releases batch of Single Malts
16th July 2025
Award-winning Scotch whisky brand Clydebuilt today expands its portfolio with six new small batch Single Malt releases, including three Single Cask bottlings.
Independent Scotch whisky distillery Ardgowan is behind the boutique label, with the first release hitting shelves in 2019.
The site, based in Inverkip, filled its first cask with its own distillate and officially opened to the public last month after eight years of planning and construction.
The range is named after the distinguished shipbuilding trade historically on the River Clyde, with the word ‘Clydebuilt’ coming to stand for craftsmanship and integrity.
Distillery Manager Laura Davies, whose 13 years of experience includes mentorship under the late industry great, Dr Jim Swan, developed the new batch of Clydebuilt Single Malts.
The six releases, which were sourced from the world-renowned Speyside region, include:
- 12-year-old Sherry Cask Matured (RSP £46.99): aged in a combination of Sherry butts, followed by Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez hogsheads, this Single Malt is bottled at 46% ABV.
- 12-year-old 100 Proof Sherry Cask Matured (RSP £64.99): a higher strength iteration of the aforementioned expression, this whisky underwent the same maturation before being bottled at 57.1% ABV, conforming to the traditional British 100 proof system historically defined as the point at which a spirit could ignite gunpowder.
- 12-year-old Official Opening Day Release (RSP £85): bottled to commemorate the distillery’s official opening on 20th June 2025, the Speyside Single Malt was matured in three Sherry casks and bottled at a cask strength of 59.5% ABV.
- 2012 Pedro Ximénez (PX) Hogshead Single Cask (RSP £85): presented at cask strength of 58.5% ABV, 352 bottles have been produced from cask number AS059 which formerly held PX: a dark, sweet style of Sherry wine.
- 2012 Oloroso Hogshead Single Cask (RSP £85): matured in cask AS076 which previously hosted Oloroso – the darkest of the dry Sherry styles – this limited release consists of just 342 bottles with an ABV of 59.0%.
- 2012 Manzanilla Hogshead Single Cask (RSP £85): aged in a rare Manzanilla cask, exclusively available from the Spanish coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the lighter profile and maritime notes add a distinctive twist on the 335 bottles available at 61.1% ABV.
As is the case with all Clydebuilt whiskies, each expression is bottled without added colouring or chill filtration.
Remarking on the news, Davies shares:
“With Ardgowan situated on the Firth of Clyde, the rich history of craftsmanship local to our distillery is the inspiration for the Clydebuilt brand. Every whisky bottled under the name must be worthy of honouring the unmatched attention to detail and pride in quality of those that came before.
“Our new Single Malts underwent maturation on-site at Ardgowan in premium European oak Sherry casks. All aged for 12 years, each delivers distinctive character owed to both the distillate profile and the maturation history. Most importantly, they are all bottled with an age statement, at a minimum of 46% ABV, without chill filtration and without artificial colouring. These are undoubtedly Single Malts deserving of the Clydebuilt name.”
The distillery’s tour offering will launch imminently following the appointment of Visitor Centre Manager Barbara Campbell this month.
Clydebuilt Single Malts will be available via specialist retailers in the UK, Austria, Belgium, Sweden and Germany, with RSPs starting at £46.99. Find out more here.
TASTING NOTES
Clydebuilt 12-year-old Sherry Cask Matured, 46% ABV
- Colour: Deep Amber.
- Nose: Raisins, figs and polished oak.
- Taste: Dark fruits and spices. A long and rounded finish with lingering depth.
Clydebuilt 12-year-old 100 Proof Sherry Cask Matured, 57.1% ABV
- Colour: Deep Amber.
- Nose: Raisins, dates, toasted nuts and spice.
- Taste: Full bodied with dried fruits, dark chocolate and leather.
Clydebuilt 12-year-old Official Opening Day Release, 59.5% ABV
- Colour: Deep Mahogany.
- Nose: Lucious dried fruits, toasted nuts and rich Sherry sweetness.
- Taste: Bold and warming, with fig, raisin, spice and a velvety mouthfeel.
Clydebuilt 2012 Pedro Ximénez Hogshead Single Cask (AS059), 58.5% ABV
- Colour: Deep Mahogany.
- Nose: Ripe figs, sticky dates and rich caramel.
- Taste: Velvety toffee, dark chocolate and a touch of espresso.
Clydebuilt 2012 Oloroso Hogshead Single Cask (AS076), 59.0% ABV
- Colour: Deep Amber.
- Nose: Dark fruits and warming spice.
- Taste: Rich dried figs, dark chocolate and gentle oak, with nutmeg and toasted wood.
Clydebuilt 2012 Manzanilla Hogshead Single Cask (AS041), 61.1% ABV
- Colour: Pale Gold.
- Nose: Crisp green apple, floral notes and toasted almonds.
- Taste: Zesty citrus with a gentle nuttiness. Fresh and delicate.
Single malt distillery Ardgowan fills first cask
Single malt distillery Ardgowan fills first cask
23rd June 2025
Independent Scotch whisky business Ardgowan Distillery Company today announces the filling of its first cask since building concluded earlier this month.
Founded in 2017, the west coast firm is led by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain and Distillery Manager Laura Davies, who together spearhead an expert team with a combined experience spanning over seven decades in the whisky industry.
Featuring an impressive Scandinavian longhouse design and visually striking 97% recycled aluminium roof, the distillery has its sights set on producing top quality whisky and striving for carbon neutrality.
The historic milestone saw Ardgowan’s first oak cask filled with new make spirit ready for maturation, and an official Opening Day held last Friday (20th June 2025).
Following eight years of development, planning and construction, it is the first new distillery to open in Inverclyde for over a century. Until now, the last distillery to operate in the region was destroyed in the Greenock Blitz on 7th May 1941.
Millions of pounds (GBP) have already been invested in Ardgowan’s signature ‘Infinity Casks’: oak casks which have hosted Sherry for three years prior to production commencing and are intended for maturation periods of 18 years or more.
Sustainability was a top consideration throughout construction, with green technologies, including Thermal Vapour Recompression (TVR), which recycles heat waste, being installed.
Commenting on this major landmark, Grain shares:
“After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members. Ardgowan’s ultimate goal is to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky with long Sherry cask maturation in European oak.
“Our commitment to quality is demonstrated by investing millions of pounds in our signature Infinity Casks years before the distillery was built. These bespoke oak casks were created exclusively by renowned Bodegas Miguel Martín and Macallan’s former Master of Wood Stuart MacPherson. Producing whisky is all about time and patience, so, as we fill our first casks and open the site to the public, we look forward to steadily perfecting our Single Malt in the years to come.”
The Ardgowan Distillery’s visitor centre is planned to open later this summer with various experiences on offer, catering for whisky novices and connoisseurs alike.
Join Our Team: Visitor Centre & Shop Manager
Join Our Team: Visitor Centre & Shop Manager
Award-winning Independent Whisky
Bankfoot Farm, Inverkip, PA16 0DT
JOBSJoin us at Ardgowan Distillery as Visitor Centre Manager, helping us shape the future of one of Scotland’s most exciting new whisky destinations.We’re looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Visitor Centre & Shop Manager to lead day-to-day operations, deliver a world-class guest experience and lead by example. From cruise visitors to whisky collectors, this is a rare opportunity to be the face of a distillery with global ambition and local roots.
An enthusiastic Visitor Centre and Shop Manager is required to lead the daily operations of our visitor centre at Ardgowan Distillery.
This is a hands on role that offers much more than simply running a shop. You’ll be the face of Ardgowan for many of our guests, from casual drop ins to organised groups from the nearby cruise terminal, and you’ll be responsible for shaping their first experience of who we are and what we stand for.
You’ll lead from the front, setting the standard for exceptional customer experience, managing a growing team, coordinating tours, and delivering strong retail performance – all while ensuring the warm and professional welcome we want Ardgowan Distillery to be known for.
As a new distillery with big ambitions, this is a chance to help define our public presence and make a real impact. There will also be opportunities to support activity across the UK, particularly out of season, as we continue to build the Ardgowan Distillery brand at home and internationally.
Please note: The role includes weekend work with occasional UK and overseas travel.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Operations
• Manage the full operation of the visitor centre including retail, tours, tastings and hospitality
• Oversee booking systems, including trade and VIP visits
• Ensure smooth daily operations and consistent high standards of service
• Lead our Private Cask owner experience
• Ensuring that all necessary health and safety procedures are in place
• Work flexibly, including weekends and occasional evenings
Team Management
• Recruit, train and lead the visitor centre team
• Develop rotas, carry out regular staff reviews and support professional development
• Ensure all staff are trained in alcohol sales in line with licensing laws
Financial Oversight
• Manage budgets, stock and all retail transactions
• Monitor performance and help drive profitability
Marketing and Promotion
• Work with the marketing team to attract local and international visitors
• Promote events, tastings and retail products through a variety of channels
Brand Representation
• Represent Ardgowan Distillery at events and in the media
• Support sales and marketing teams at trade shows and whisky festivals, especially outside peak visitor season
Collaboration
• Work with other departments to develop new experiences and offerings
• Contribute to broader operational and commercial strategy
Experience
• Strong background in visitor centre, hospitality or tourism management
• Knowledge of tourism sector and excursions is a strong advantage
Skills and Attributes
• Natural leader with excellent team management abilities
• Comfortable delivering presentations and representing a brand
• Creative and commercially aware, with an understanding of digital marketing
• Proactive, adaptable and thrives in fast changing environments
• Genuine interest in whisky preferred and confident sharing that enthusiasm with others
Requirements
• Experience in hospitality, tourism or retail
• Strong background in customer service
• Experience in the spirits industry preferred, but not essential
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team
• Willingness to work weekends and occasional evenings
• Full UK driving licence
Salary
• Dependent on experience
• Matched contribution of 5% to your Pension
• Paid holiday entitlement of 34 inclusive of public/bank holidays
• Private health cover scheme
• Discretionary Bonus
• An Employee Assistance Programme
To apply: email your CV to [email protected]
Closing date: Friday 10th April 2026
Start date: ASAP (depending on notice period)
Ardgowan Distillery and Sustainability
Ardgowan & Hydrogen Green Power - Distilling a Greener Future
Sustainability
Bankfoot Farm, Inverkip, PA16 0DT