INTROAt Ardgowan Distillery, we craft exceptional whisky with pure spring water, malted barley, yeast, and the expertise of our skilled whisky makers - but above all, with time. From our architecturally striking distillery to our meticulous wood policy, every detail is shaped with purpose. At the heart of it all are our signature Infinity Casks, a testament to our dedication to creating truly great whisky.Led by Distillery Manager Laura Davies, we prioritise quality, ensuring every cask is matured to perfection before bottling.
The Distillery
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. We’ve built in clever efficiencies too, like Thermal Vapour Recompression (TVR), to help reduce our carbon footprint. The distillery will initially produce around one million litres a year, with room to grow to two million 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 distinctive coastal character.
Sustainability Focused Distillery
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 TEAMWe have a mix of whisky veterans, curious minds, and practical doers - all working towards creating something special at Ardgowan Distillery.
Ardgowan Distillery Manager Laura Davies
Laura Davies heads up distillery operations at Ardgowan. With over a decade of experience in the whisky industry, she’s known for her technical expertise and her instinct for flavour and character. Laura brings a practical, thoughtful approach to whisky making - and a real passion for the craft.
Laura joined Ardgowan at a pivotal moment, just as the distillery prepared to begin operations in spring 2025. Before this, she was at The Welsh Whisky Company (Penderyn), where she played a major role in scaling production across three sites and helping grow turnover from £10 million to £23 million.
She developed her craft under the guidance of the late Dr Jim Swan, gaining deep expertise in whisky production, maturation, and new product development. Now at Ardgowan, Laura is focused on crafting exceptional Single Malts and is a driving force in our journey forward.
