Ardgowan Distillery filled its first oak cask with new make spirit on June 20, 2025, marking the return of whisky production to Inverclyde after more than 80 years. The $13 million (£10 million) facility represents the first new distillery to operate in the region since the previous one was destroyed during the Greenock Blitz in 1941.
Scotch Whisky Production Returns to West Coast Scotland
The Inverkip-based distillery features a distinctive Scandinavian longhouse design with a 97% recycled aluminum roof. Founded in 2017 by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain and Distillery Manager Laura Davies, the project took eight years from inception to first production. The team brings more than 70 years of combined industry experience to the venture.
Ardgowan has invested millions of dollars in what it calls “Infinity Casks,” oak barrels that previously held sherry for three years. These casks will be used for maturation periods of 18 years or more, according to company specifications. The distillery worked with Bodegas Miguel Martín and Stuart MacPherson, former Master of Wood at Macallan, to create these custom barrels.
“After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members,” Grain said in a statement. “Ardgowan’s ultimate goal is to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky with long Sherry cask maturation in European oak.”
Sustainability Drives Modern Scotch Whisky Design
The distillery incorporates green technologies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality. Thermal Vapor Recompression technology recycles heat waste during the production process. These environmental considerations factored heavily into the construction plans from the project’s outset.
Scotland’s whisky industry has increasingly focused on sustainable production methods in recent years. The Scotch Whisky Association reports that the industry has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 53% since 2008, with a target of net-zero emissions by 2040. Ardgowan’s approach aligns with this industry-wide shift toward environmental responsibility.
The facility plans to open its visitor center later this summer, offering experiences for both beginners and whisky enthusiasts. This addition to Scotland’s whisky tourism infrastructure comes as the industry continues to recover from pandemic-related disruptions that significantly impacted distillery visits between 2020 and 2022.
While waiting for its own single malt to mature, Ardgowan operates the Clydebuilt brand for independent bottlings. Scottish law requires single malt Scotch whisky to age in oak casks for a minimum of three years before it can be sold, meaning Ardgowan’s first proprietary release cannot occur before 2028.
The distillery’s location on the Ardgowan Estate in Inverkip places it approximately 30 miles west of Glasgow. This positioning gives it access to both urban markets and the scenic tourism routes of western Scotland. The region’s whisky heritage dates back centuries, though industrial decline in the 20th century saw many distilleries close.
Ardgowan’s first cask filling represents both a continuation of Scottish whisky tradition and an investment in the industry’s future. With global Scotch whisky exports valued at $6.2 billion (£4.9 billion) in 2023, new distilleries like Ardgowan are betting on continued international demand for premium single malts.
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