Ardgowan distillery
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 Remains of the first Ardgowan Distillery building, with bars still in Baker Street. | |
| Location | Inverkip, Scotland, UK |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1896 (original distillery) 2016 (modern distillery) |
| Status | Active |
Ardgowan distillery is a Lowland single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Ardgowan Estate near Inverkip, Scotland.
First distillery
The original Ardgowan distillery was founded in 1896 and located in Greenock at the head of Baker Street just before the railway crossing.[1]
In 1903 the distillery caught fire and a "river of flaming whisky" washed down Baker Street. The flames in the flood were reported to be seven feet high.[2]
Before World War II the distillery was converted to make industrial alcohol that were used in fuel for RAF fighter planes. The distillery was as almost totally destroyed in the Greenock Blitz of 7 May 1941.[3][4]
The distillery was rebuilt and continued to work until It finally ceased production in 1952.[4]
New distillery
In March 2017, plans for a new £12 million distillery and visitor centre to be built on the Ardgowan Estate near Inverkip were approved by Inverclyde Council. The plans were submitted by the Ardgowan Distillery Company.[5]
In March 2023, Ardgowan spent £100m on Sherry casks to be used in the new distillery.[6]
In November 2023, work begun work on the new distillery site with plans to start production in 2024.[7] In April 2025 the distillery announced the appointment of Roland Grain as Chief Executive Officer, and the opening ceremony to be held on 20 June 2025.[8]
In June 2025, the new Ardgowan distillery started production and filled its first cask.[9] In August 2025 it started to offer tours of the distillery.
References
- ↑ admin (2 March 2017). "DISTILLERY Marks Latest Chapter In Ardgowan Estate's Colourful 600-Year History". Inverclyde Now. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ "Fire at the Ardgowan Distillery - river of burning whisky". thegreenockian.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ Dorsey, Kristy (2 March 2017). "Distillery marks new chapter in Ardgowan's colourful history". businessInsider. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- 1 2 "Ardgowan Distillery". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ "12m distillery planned for site linked to Robert the Bruce". The Scotsman. 2 March 2017.
- ↑ Carruthers, Nicola (2 March 2023). "Ardgowan spends £100m on Sherry casks". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ Harper, Gavin (14 November 2023). "Fife construction firm begins work on £20m 'cathedral of whisky'". The Courier. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ Lang, Hannah (23 April 2025). "Ardgowan Distillery Announces CEO Appointment and Grand Opening in June 2025". Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ Madsen, Miona (23 June 2025). "Ardgowan Distillery fills first whisky cask". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
