Bladnoch Distillery

Founded in 1817 at Wigtown in the Lowlandsregion, Bladnoch Distillery is enjoying a resurgence in popularity after a difficult history. The most southerly distillery in Scotland, Bladnoch was built bybrothers John and Thomas McClelland, drawing water from the river of the same name. It stayed in the family for almost 100 years, with John’s son Charlie refurbishing the distillery in 1878.

Troubles began in the early 20th century, and production came to a halt in 1905. The distillery stayed shut until 1911 when it was bought by the Northern Irish company Dunville and Co, but production never fully took off. In 1937 equipment from the distillery was sent to Sweden by Ross & Coulter after the Glasgow company purchased it.

Things only started to pick up in 1956 under new owners A. B. Grant, who installed four new stills. Despite changing hands multiple times in the years to come, production continued until 1993 when United Distillers mothballed Bladnoch. The following year it was sold to Raymond Armstrong as a home on the condition that no whisky be distilled there. However, local pressure eventually resulted in production resuming in 2000. Several vintages and new bottlings were released under Armstrong’s ownership until it was bought by Australian businessman David Prior in 2014.

When David Prior bought Bladnoch in 2015 he inherited significant stocks of whisky aging in the warehouses dating from the 80s. This meant that before production even recommenced three new bottlings could be released to cement the new line in 2016.

The Samsara, aged in American Oak casks of ex-Bourbon and ex-Red Wine. The 15 year old Adela made from several single malts matured in Oloroso Sherry butts. And the Talia, available in 25 and 27 years old variants. The Talia has a triple wood finish of ex-bourbon, sherry, and whisky. Sweet and fruity aromas and flavours are finished by notes of oak and spices. They have since been joined by a 10 year old, 17 year old, and a Limited Edition 29 year old to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary.