A Roof Like No Other

Designed by Austrian architectural firm Spitzbart and Partners and expertly built by Fowler McKenzie, our roof is more than just an architectural feature—it’s a symbol of our commitment to innovation and sustainability. Constructed using 97% recycled aluminium, supplied by Kalzip Ltd, the roof reflects our goal to integrate environmentally responsible materials into every aspect of our distillery.

Recognition for Excellence

Being named one of the four finalists in this category is a huge honour, as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Awards celebrate outstanding workmanship, safety, and innovation in the UK roofing industry. The NFRC Awards are widely respected within the construction sector, recognising projects that push the boundaries of quality and sustainability.

A Team Effort

Martin McAdam, Founder and Director of Ardgowan Distillery, expressed his gratitude for the recognition:

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. Our sincere thanks go to the team at Fowler McKenzie for their exceptional work on the distillery roof. Their expertise and dedication have helped bring this vision to life, and we wish them all the best on the awards night.”

Fowler McKenzie, one of Scotland’s leading roofing and cladding specialists, has played a crucial role in delivering this project to the highest standards. Their reputation for quality and excellence in customer service has made them a perfect partner for bringing our ambitious vision to reality.

Looking Ahead

The NFRC 2025 Roofing Awards will take place in London on 9th May 2025, where winners will be announced. We’re proud to stand alongside some of the best in the industry and eagerly anticipate the results.

At Ardgowan, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in whisky distillery construction. With production set to commence this year and our official opening day on 20th June 2025, there are many more milestones to celebrate in the months ahead.

Please vote for the Ardgowan Distillery in the NCFR Awards:

A Whisky Worthy of Celebration

To commemorate this incredible achievement, our Master Blender, Max McFarlane, has created a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky that reflects the dedication and excellence synonymous with Greenock Morton FC. The “150th Anniversary Blended Malt” combines a unique selection of malts, resulting in a whisky as distinctive as the club’s legacy.

Tasting notes include:

• Nose: A delicate, floral, and lightly tannic aroma featuring stem ginger, toffee apples, Earl Grey tea, and new leather.

• Palate: Dry and textured with hints of olive oil, malted wheat cereal, and creamy porridge drizzled with caramelised brown sugar.

• Finish: Subtle notes of dry tobacco for a balanced and memorable conclusion.

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

At Ardgowan Distillery, we are passionate about creating world-class whisky and fostering meaningful partnerships within our community. Collaborating with Greenock Morton FC for this anniversary release has been a privilege and a testament to the shared values of craftsmanship, dedication, and local pride.

We’re honoured to play a role in this historic celebration and look forward to raising a glass with fans as we continue building connections between the distillery and our community.

Building Momentum

Our distillery construction has reached thrilling new heights! This year saw the installation of our bespoke copper stills, mash tun, tanks, and washbacks, bringing us one step closer to production, set for Spring 2025.

Among the standout features is our completed roof—a stunning feat of engineering and an iconic addition to the Inverclyde skyline. Every detail of the build reflects our commitment to creating a state-of-the-art facility that honours tradition while embracing innovation.

Crafted with care and precision by McMillan Coppersmiths in Prestonpans, these stills are more than just essential equipment—they are a blend of artistry and advanced technology. With traditional skills that are hundreds of years old, the coppersmiths at McMillan have carefully crafted each still to reflect the spirit of Scottish whisky-making. Thousands of hours and millions of hammer blows were required to shape these copper vessels to exact specifications, and their unique hammered finish showcases the enduring art of coppersmithing.

A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Each still features a distinctive design exclusive to Ardgowan Distillery. Standing tall at 6.4 metres and 5.4 metres, with capacities of 12,000 litres and 9,000 litres respectively, these stills have been built not only with character but also with sustainability in mind. They incorporate Thermal Vapour Recompression (TVR) technology, which reduces energy waste by compressing and reintroducing steam into the process. This feature is part of Ardgowan’s broader commitment to sustainable production, as we aim to achieve net-zero emissions within the next five years.

Alongside their technical efficiencies, the stills are also equipped with a precision-engineered condenser containing 315 tubes on the wash still, enhancing both spirit character and energy efficiency. These unique features support Ardgowan’s mission to blend heritage with innovation and produce whisky in a way that respects the environment.

Her arrival coincides with the recent delivery of Ardgowan’s state-of-the-art copper stills, crafted by McMillan Coppersmiths Ltd. of Prestonpans, and marks an exciting step forward as the team prepares for production to commence in Spring 2025.

Nestled on the historic Ardgowan Estate in Inverclyde, the distillery aims to blend traditional craftsmanship with innovative practices to produce extraordinary single malt whiskies. Laura joins the team following a highly successful tenure at The Welsh Whisky Company (Penderyn), where she played a central role in growing the company’s turnover from £10 million to £23 million over seven years. Her responsibilities included overseeing operations across three production sites and visitor centres.

In her role as Company Accountant, Ms. Gaffney will be responsible for overseeing the company’s financial strategy and operations, with a focus on driving profitability and maximizing shareholder value.

Ms. Gaffney is a native of Port Glasgow and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Glasgow Caledonian University and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS).

Speaking on her appointment, Paula commented:

“I am excited to take on the role of Company Accountant at Ardgowan. The company has a strong track record of growth, and I look forward to leveraging my expertise to help drive even greater profitability and position the company for long-term success. This is a wonderful project for Inverclyde and as a local I am so pleased to be part of this fantastic endeavour.”

Ms. Gaffney joins Ardgowan with over 7 years of post-qualified experience, including 6 years in industry. Most recently, she served as the Finance Business Partner for the EMEA region at Peak Scientific, where she delivered monthly management accounts, prepared statutory financial statements, and led the EMEA budgeting process.

Ardgowan Distillery Chief Financial Officer, Don Woodward, added:

“We are thrilled to welcome Paula to our team as Company Accountant,” said Don Woodward, CFO, Ardgowan Distillery “Her extensive experience in financial reporting, commercial sales support, audit, compliance, and forecasting make her the ideal candidate to help guide our company’s financial success.”

Ardgowan Distillery is implementing extensive heat recovery and heat storage as part of the whisky-making process. The distillery has already partnered with Heriot Watt University and engineers Briggs of Burton to develop technology to capture and repurpose the CO2 in its fermentation process.

Ardgowan expects to create almost 50 jobs for the local area and, upon completion, will have the capacity to produce up to one million litres of premium whisky per year.

Scotch Whisky Masters judges praised Draughtsman’s “rich, rounded and spicy” aroma, leading to “similar flavours on the palate with butter icing and well-balanced spice”, awarding it the coveted Master medal in the Blended Malt – Ultra Premium category.

IWSC judges awarded Riveter single grain an impressive 92 points and a silver medal due to its ‘bold expression with pineapple, pear and peach aroma and flavour characteristics combining with a full-body and textured palate ending on a strong spiced finish’.

The current whiskies in our award-winning Clydebuilt range can be found via our network of specialist retailers – find your closest, or shop with them online, here.