Bladnoch Distillery, located near Wigtown in the southwest of Scotland, is one of the oldest and most historic distilleries in the Lowlands, with a tumultuous history spanning over two centuries. It now produces a classic Lowland-style single malt with grassy, light, and malty characteristics under the ownership of Australian businessman **David Prior**.
### Historical Highlights
1. **Founding and Early Years (1817–1905):**
– Established in **1817** by John and Thomas McClelland, Bladnoch began as a small farm distillery. It remained under family ownership until **1905**, when it shut down during a period of market oversupply.
2. **Irish Ownership and Intermittent Production (1911–1937):**
– Purchased by Belfast-based **Dunville & Co.** in **1911**, the distillery’s operations were sporadic until Dunville ceased production in **1937**, believing Irish whiskey (and their Scottish operation) had no future.
3. **Post-War Revival (1956–1993):**
– After decades of closure and equipment sales, Bladnoch reopened in **1956**, was expanded to four stills in **1966**, and saw ownership change hands multiple times. It became part of **Arthur Bell & Son** in 1983, then Guinness/United Distillers (now Diageo), which officially closed the distillery in **1993**.
4. **Northern Irish Revival and Challenges (1994–2015):**
– Two Northern Irish brothers acquired the distillery in **1994**, initially intending to convert it into a holiday village but ultimately returning to whisky production. Restricted by Diageo to producing just **100,000 liters annually**, Bladnoch struggled financially, relying heavily on tourism and warehousing rentals. The distillery went into administration in **2014**.
5. **Modern Renaissance (2015–Present):**
– In **2015**, Australian entrepreneur **David Prior** purchased Bladnoch and invested significantly in restoring the distillery, alongside former Scotch Whisky Association CEO **Gavin Hewitt**. Production officially resumed in **June 2017**, marking a new chapter for the distillery.
### Whisky Style and Production
Bladnoch’s style has evolved over its history:
– **Bell’s Era (1983–1993):** Nutty and spicy whisky dominated during Bell’s ownership.
– **Armstrong Era (2000–2009):** A lighter, more delicate style was reintroduced, with occasional peated malt production.
– **David Prior Era (2017–Present):** Bladnoch now focuses on a **grassy, malty Lowland-style malt**, reminiscent of its traditional roots.
### Key Releases
Ahead of its 2017 reopening, Bladnoch released three single malts using existing stocks:
1. **Samsara:** A smooth, non-age-statement whisky.
2. **Adela:** A richer, sherry-influenced expression.
3. **Talia:** A 25-year-old, showcasing Bladnoch’s older reserves.
These were limited to select global markets, helping to reintroduce Bladnoch to the whisky world.
### Today
Bladnoch is once again thriving, with its restored facilities producing high-quality single malts that embrace the Lowland tradition while benefiting from modern craftsmanship. It stands as a testament to resilience, having survived closures, ownership upheavals, and decades of uncertainty.
