Glengyle Scotch Whisky Distillery 2004-

The distillery is using a combination of new and reconditioned equipment brought in, on the site of the original Glengyle distillery, (1872 to 1925) the site has witnessed various uses, a rifle range (1940) Farmers co-operative 1970's by this time all the equipment had been stripped out and the warehousing used as a coach garage.

In November 2000 Mitchell's Glengyle Ltd was formed under the chairmanship of Mr Hedley Wright (great nephew of the original builder William Mitchell.) with the intention of operating a completely refurbished distillery.

Work started in December 2000 with the building restoration taking over a year. In January 2002 the stills at the Ben Wyvis distillery became available on inspection it was decided alterations to the still shoulders and necks was required. A suitable malt mill was acquired from the Craigellachie distillery.

During 2002 - 2003 the distillery equipment was installed and in October 2003 the distillery was connected with its water supply from the Crosshill Loch. The boilers fitted in November followed by the four 30,000 washbacks in January 2004.

The distillery was officially opened by Dr Winifred Ewing and Mr Hedley Wright on the 25th of March 2004.

Why Kilkerran? Well, for two reasons. Firstly, because the name Glengyle is already used for a Vatted Highland malt and Mitchell's Glengyle Ltd. were not able to buy the rights to use the name. They also wished to avoid any possible confusion between the newest Single Malt to come from the Campbeltown region and a pre-existing vatted Highland malt.

Mitchell's Glengyle Ltd. are very proud to be continuing and adding to the great Campbeltown Distilling tradition and the choice of name reflects that. Kilkerran is derived from the Gaelic 'Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain' which is the name of the original settlement where Saint Kerran had his religious cell and where Campbeltown now stands. Kilkerran is thought to be a suitable name for a new Campbeltown Malt since it was unusual for the old Campbeltown distilleries to be called after a Glen, a custom more usually associated with the Speyside region.

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