Annandale distillery

Annandale Distillery, Annan, Dumfries & Galloway. View from the main road

Annandale Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located in Annandale, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The distillery was originally established in 1836 by George Donald and has a rich history of whisky production, closure, and revival.

History[edit | edit source]

Annandale Distillery was founded in 1836 by George Donald, a local farmer. The distillery operated successfully for several decades, producing single malt Scotch whisky. In 1883, it was acquired by Johnnie Walker & Sons, who continued to produce whisky at the site until its closure in 1918.

After its closure, the distillery buildings were used for various purposes, including as a farm and a sawmill. The site remained dormant for nearly a century until it was purchased by the Annandale Distillery Company in 2007. The new owners undertook extensive restoration work to bring the distillery back to life, and production resumed in 2014.

Production[edit | edit source]

Annandale Distillery produces both peated and unpeated single malt Scotch whisky. The distillery uses traditional methods of production, including copper pot stills and wooden washbacks. The water used in the production process is sourced from the nearby River Annan.

The distillery's whisky is aged in a variety of cask types, including ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, to develop a range of flavors and characteristics. The maturation process takes place in the distillery's on-site warehouses.

Visitor Experience[edit | edit source]

Annandale Distillery offers guided tours for visitors, providing an insight into the whisky-making process and the history of the distillery. The tours include a visit to the production areas, the warehouses, and a tasting session of the distillery's whiskies.

The distillery also has a visitor center, which features a shop selling a range of Annandale whiskies and related merchandise, as well as a café serving local produce.