OPENING TIMES
January – February
OPENING TIMES
| Day | Times | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:30 | 15:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:30 | 15:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:30 | 15:00 |
| Thursday | 10:30 | 15:00 |
| Friday | 10:30 | 15:00 |
| Saturday | 10:30 | 15:00 |
| Sunday | Closed | |
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Glengyle Distillery
Glengyle distillery
Glengyle’s semi-lauter mash tun gives clear wort (from barley malted next door at Springbank) which is fermented in boatskin larch washbacks before distillation in a pair of stills which were originally made for the Ben Wyvis distillery which neatly enough was where McHardy began his 50-plus year whisky career.
He tweaked the shape of the stills, rounding the shoulders of the base and also giving the lyne arms an upward slant. The style is therefore light and fragrant. A number of styles have been made with variations in peat and triple distillation all tried.
Why the name Kilkerran
Kilkerran is the name that was chosen for the single malt produced at Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery, there are two reasons for this. Firstly, because the name Glengyle is already used for a blended Highland malt and Mitchell’s Glengyle Ltd they where not able to purchase the rights to use that name. They also wished to avoid any possible confusion between the newest single malt to come from the Campbeltown region and a pre-existing blended Highland malt.
Secondly, and more importantly, Mitchell’s Glengyle Ltd are very proud to be continuing and adding to the great Campbeltown Distilling tradition and the choice of name reflects that. Kilkerran is derived from the Gaelic ‘Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain’ which is the name of the original settlement where Saint Kerran had his religious cell and where Campbeltown now stands. Kilkerran is thought to be a suitable name for a new Campbeltown malt since it was unusual for the old Campbeltown distilleries to be called after a Glen, a custom more usually associated with the Speyside region.
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Owner
J&A Mitchell & Company
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Status
Operational
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Country
Scotland
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Region
Campbeltown
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Production type:
Single Malt
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Founded
1872
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Production yearly
750.000 Liters (But produce 20.000 - 30.000 )
History
The Mitchell family was the dominant force in Campbeltown’s distilling community in the 19th century. By 1872, John and his son Alexander were running Springbank; John’s brothers Hugh, William and Archibald had founded Riechlachan, situated next door, while Archibald’s son, William, had just started his own distillery, Glengyle, which was next door again. He sold in 1919 to the short-lived, R&B-backed, consortium of Campbeltown distillers: West Highland Malt Distilleries [Ardlussa, Dalintober, Glen Nevis, Glen Scotia, Kinloch] but the venture failed and, in 1925, it was one of many Campbeltown plants to close down.
Perhaps surprisingly, there was still remaining stock in the 1940s when the distillery and the Glengyle brand name were bought by blenders Bloch Bros which had also bought Glen Scotia. There were plans mooted to reopen but they came to nothing and the plant became a rifle range, and feed store.
In 2000, however, J&A Mitchell [Springbank] bought the site and four years later Glengyle reopened. Because the Glengyle trademark had passed to Bloch Bros (and subsequent owners of Glen Scotia) the brand is called Kilkerran – the original name of Campbeltown. The first release was in 2007 and has been followed by annual ‘Works in Progress’. A 12-year-old is planned for 2016.
Whisky Fact
“There used to be 43 distilleries in Campbeltown and now they're only 3.”
“There used to be 43 distilleries in Campbeltown and now they're only 3.”
Livingbythedram
Whisky Blogger
Distillery Facts
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Taste profile
Core range
At this point Glengyle’s core range is:
- Kilkerran 8 year old Cask Strength
- Kilkerran 12 year old
- Kilkerran 16 year old
Archive bottles:
Kilkerran 3 year old
Kilkerran 4 year old
Kilkerran 5 year old
Kilkerran 6 year old
Kilkerran 8 year old
Kilkerran 8 year old cask strength
Kilkerran 9 year old open day 2017
Kilkerran 10 year old
Kilkerran 11 year old Triple distilled open day 2017
Kilkerran 14 year old christmas 2020
Kilkerran 14 year old Triple distilled open day 2020
Kilkerran 15 year old Single cask Bourbon wood
Kilkerran 15 year old Single cask Fino Wood
Kilkerran 15 year old Single cask Port wood
Kilkerran 15 year old Single cask oloroso wood
Kilkerran 15 year old Single cask open day 2019
Kilkerran 15 year old Single cask madeira wood
Kilkerran 15 year old Single cask cask strength
Kilkerran 15 year old Single cask Distillery dinner
Work in Progress:
- Kilkerran work in progress 1st release – Bourbon and Sherry, bottled 2009, max bottles 9.000, 46%
- Kilkerran work in progress 2nd release, bottled 2010, max bottles 18000, 46%
- Kilkerran work in progress 3rd release, bottled 2011, max bottles 9000, 46%
- Kilkerran work in progress 4th release, bottled 2012, max bottles 9000, 46%
- Kilkerran work in progress 5th release – Sherry bottled 2013, max bottles 9000, 46%
- Kilkerran work in progress 5th release- Bourbon bottled 2013, max bottles 9000, 46%
- Kilkerran work in progress 6st release – Sherry bottled 2014, max bottles 9000, 46%
- Kilkerran work in progress 6st release – Bourbon bottled 2014, max bottles 9000, 46%
- Kilkerran work in progress 7th release – Bourbon bottled 2015, max bottles 6000, 54.1%
- Kilkerran work in progress 7th release – Sherry bottled 2015, max bottles 12000, 46%
Heavily Peated:
- Kilkerran Heavily Peated, peat in progress, Batch 1, bottled 2019, 55% Ex-bourbon en 45% Ex-sherry, 59.3%
- Kilkerran Heavily Peated, peat in progress, Batch 2, bottled 2019, 55% Ex-bourbon en 45% Ex-sherry, 60.9%
- Kilkerran Heavily Peated, peat in progress, Batch 3, bottled 2020, 80% Ex-bourbon en 20% Ex-sherry, 59.7%
- Kilkerran Heavily Peated, peat in progress, Batch 4, bottled 2021, 80% Ex-bourbon en 20% Ex-sherry, 58.6%
- Kilkerran Heavily Peated, peat in progress, Batch 5, bottled 2021, 85% Ex-bourbon en 15% Ex-sherry, 57.7%
- Kilkerran Heavily Peated, peat in progress, Batch 6, bottled 2022, 75% Ex-bourbon en 25% Ex-sherry, 57.4%
Distillery Tours
During this tour you’ll get the chance to visit Glengyle Distillery, the home of Kilkerran Single Malt.
You will explore the history of the distillery before being guided through each stage of the whisky making process to discover what gives our Kilkerran whisky its unique character. The tour will end with a dram of one of our core range whiskies and you’ll also receive a complimentary glass and miniature to take away with you.
DURATION:
About 1 hour
DRAMS
3 drams
COST
£10 per person
On the Springbank Tour, you’ll have the opportunity to journey through our historic distillery, which has been on the same site since 1828.
As the only distillery in Scotland to complete 100% of the process on site, you’ll have the chance to see each and every step of the whisky making process before enjoying a dram of one of our core range whiskies and taking away a glass and miniature to enjoy at home.
DURATION:
About 60 minutes
COST
£10 per person
For those who prefer to simply relax and taste our whisky, the Taste It is for you.
We have two different taste it options available to visitors to Campbeltown:
Springbank Taste It – This tasting can be enjoyed by both newcomers to the world of whisky and more experienced whisky enthusiasts looking to revisit the Campbeltown classics. Included will be five core range products from Springbank and Kilkerran with one Cadenhead’s bottling to give participants an insight into everything we have to offer.
DURATION:
Duration:
45 minutes
COST
£15 per person
During our Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting, you’ll have the opportunity to sample a selection of the finest Cadenhead whiskies hand drawn from the cask in one of Springbank’s traditional warehouses. You can also take home a Cadenhead glass with our compliments.
Please note the Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting does not include a distillery tour. If you would also like a tour then please select a tour from the options.
This tasting must be booked in advance.
DURATION:
60 minutes
COST
£35 per person
Formally known as the Premier Tour, you’ll enjoy a guided walk through Campbeltown, learning the meaning of the Scottish town’s old title ‘whisky capital of the world’, before discovering the whisky making process from start to finish in our Springbank and Glengyle distilleries.
You’ll be treated to a few whiskies which will be hand drawn from the cask in one of our warehouses and you’ll enjoy a delicious Scottish Platter Lunch in our Tasting Room. You’ll also be given a complimentary glass and visitors miniature from each distillery to enjoy at home while you remember your unique experience.
Please note, minimum number for this tour is 4 and must be booked in advance.
Times vary, please contact us for more information.
DURATION:
4 hours
COST
£85 per person
Our most in depth tour ever. Experience our whisky making process with our hands on, access all areas tour of Springbank Distillery where members of our knowledgable production team will guide you through each stage of the process, letting you test your skills at various stages.
As a reward for your hard work and concentration, you’ll enjoy a couple of drams drawn straight from the cask in one of our dunnage warehouses.
This short tasting will also hopefully inspire you for what comes next: the chance to create your own personal Springbank. Taking place in our Board Room, during this create your own session you will be supplied with samples of our Single Malt from various different cask types and encouraged to blend them together to create your own perfect recipe. Once you’re happy with your whisky, you will be able to take away one 70cl bottle to enjoy at home or to help you show off your skills to your family and friends.
A Scottish Platter Lunch in our Tasting Room, a glass and a visitors miniature from each distillery are also included.
This tour is subject to our distillery production schedule and may not be possible at all times of the year. Please get in touch with your specific dates and we will let you know the availability.
Please note, minimum number for this tour is 2, maximum number is 8 and must be booked in advance.
DURATION:
4- 5 hours
COST
£250 per person
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