Glengyle Distillery: History, Renovation, and Kilkerran Whisky Production
Glengyle Distillery is a renowned Scotch whisky production center located in Campbeltown, Argyll & Bute, that closed in 1925. In 2000, the distillery was completely renovated and reopened as the first new Scottish distillery of the millennium. Today, the single malts produced by Glengyle are marketed under the name Kilkerran.
Early History
Founded in 1872 by William Mitchell, the Glengyle Distillery suffered a major setback in 1873 when a storm blew off the roof. Mitchell, who had previously worked with Springbank Distillery, ventured out on his own after a dispute with his brother John.
In 1919, the distillery was sold due to the post-war economic downturn that severely affected Campbeltown distilleries. It was auctioned again in 1923 for £350 (equivalent to £25,200 in 2023) and ceased production in 1925, with all remaining stock sold off.
After being used as a rifle range, attempts to reopen the distillery by Sir Maurice Bloch during World War II and by Campbell Henderson Ltd. in the 1950s failed.
Renovation and New Production
In 2000, Mitchell's Glengyle Ltd. was formed to renovate and rebuild the Glengyle Distillery. Associated with Springbank Distillery, Mitchell's Glengyle is guided by Hedley Wright, a descendant of the Mitchell Family. The buildings were restored to an adequate standard, in line with local heritage and listed status. New stills, malt mills, a mash tun, and washbacks were installed, much of it coming from other distilleries that had ceased operations or had surplus equipment.
Kilkerran Whisky Production
Production at the new Glengyle Distillery began in 2004, with the first whisky expected by 2014. Glengyle is the first new distillery of the millennium and joins a trend of new Scottish distilleries such as Arran (1995) and Daftmill (2005).
The whisky is not marketed as Glengyle but under the name Kilkerran, as the name Glengyle is owned by Loch Lomond Distillers for their blended malt. "Kilkerran" is derived from Scottish Gaelic Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain, meaning "head of the lake of Saint Kieran's cell," referring to the historical settlement where Saint Kieran is believed to have had a religious cell, and where modern Campbeltown stands today.
