For the first time in over 100 years, whisky is flowing again in Inverclyde. Ardgowan Distillery, the long-awaited venture near the village of Inverkip, has officially opened, capping off years of anticipation with its first whisky casks filled and aging.
And if the launch crowd was anything to go by, the region’s thirst for single malt hasn’t dulled in the slightest.
A New Era for an Old Whisky Heartland
Inverclyde isn’t the first place that comes to mind when people talk about Scotch. It doesn’t have the volume of Islay or the tourism pull of Speyside. But historically, it mattered. And now, it matters again.
The official opening on Friday, June 20, saw around 2,000 visitors descend on the distillery grounds to toast the return of whisky-making to the west coast.
Distillery CEO and whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain said the team was “thrilled to be in full production.” He added that after a long build and several delays, filling their own casks was a “moment of pride.”
He wasn’t the only one beaming.
Ceremony, Celebration—and Sherry Casks
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes was on hand to cut the ribbon, helping christen a project years in the making.
Inside, visitors were offered tours of the Scandinavian-style longhouse, with its striking 97% recycled aluminum roof, before sampling cocktails at the new Blackwoods Brand Home bar.
Live music echoed across the grounds. Barbecue smoke drifted. And behind the scenes, whisky was already flowing.
But don’t expect bottles just yet.
Ardgowan will focus on long Sherry cask maturation in European oak—a deliberate slow-burn strategy aimed at producing deep, character-rich single malts.
Not Just a Distillery—A Green Statement
Beyond its copper stills and cask warehouse, Ardgowan is also making a name for itself with its sustainability efforts.
Distillery Manager Laura Davies highlighted the design choices that emphasize eco-efficiency:
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Roof made from 97% recycled aluminum
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Goal of carbon neutrality within the next decade
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Local sourcing of raw materials where feasible
The distillery is built to resemble a Nordic longhouse, both as a nod to the region’s Viking history and a design meant to blend with the coastal surroundings.
“We didn’t want to just make whisky,” said Grain. “We wanted to build something that belonged here.”
Table: Ardgowan Distillery — Key Facts at Launch
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Opening Date | June 20, 2025 |
| First Whisky Production in Area | Since early 20th century |
| Initial Focus | Sherry cask-aged single malt whisky |
| Ownership | Privately led by Roland Grain, part-owned by Distil PLC |
| Investment by Distil PLC | £3 million (2021 convertible loan) |
| Facility Design | Scandinavian longhouse, eco-conscious build |
| Recycled Material Use | 97% recycled aluminum roofing |
| Target Market | Global premium whisky segment |
Distil PLC Invests in the Future of Scotch
Behind the scenes, London-listed Distil PLC has played a major role in getting Ardgowan off the ground.
In 2021, it extended a £3 million convertible loan to the project—an investment that now represents a potential 10.5% stake in Ardgowan’s fully diluted share capital.
It’s a notable expansion for Distil, better known for brands like RedLeg Spiced Rum and Blackwoods Gin.
The move into single malt territory marks both a diversification strategy and a bet on Scotch’s enduring global pull.
Locals Show Up—And Don’t Hold Back
If Inverclyde needed proof this mattered, they got it.
The opening saw people from Greenock, Gourock, and even Glasgow turning up to sample the goods—or at least the idea of what’s to come.
“It’s more than whisky,” said one guest, sipping a gin cocktail near the bar. “It’s jobs, tourism, and pride.”
A few attendees even snagged early collector’s bottlings, though those weren’t of Ardgowan’s own distillate yet—those casks need time. A lot of time.
But no one seemed in a hurry.
A Quiet Region, Now Back in the Scotch Spotlight
For Inverclyde, Ardgowan’s launch is more than a ribbon-cutting. It’s a return to a heritage the area had nearly lost.
Roland Grain knows this.
“We’re not here to compete with the big names in Speyside,” he said. “We’re here to make something beautiful, something honest—and something that puts Inverclyde back on the whisky map.”
He paused.
“And in a few years, when those casks are ready? We think the world’s going to notice.”
